Clinical Dentist

Clinical Dentist

The Dentist is responsible for supervising, supporting, and guiding Dental Hygiene students in a clinical setting. This role ensures proper patient care, upholds clinical standards, and serves as a resource to both students and faculty regarding dental procedures and medical concerns.

Principal Accountabilities & Deliverables

Supervise and maintain a consistent presence in the clinic during all clinic sessions
• Respond to and manage all medical emergencies that arise during clinic hours
• Prescribe appropriate medications
• Administer local anesthesia when clinically indicated
• Answer questions from students and patients to support learning and patient understanding
• Serve as a clinical authority to dental hygiene faculty and staff on dental-related matters
• Identify and manage care for medically compromised patients
• Diagnose oral pathologies and make appropriate referrals to medical and/or dental professionals
• Refer patients for necessary follow-up treatment
• Prescribe pit and fissure sealants as appropriate for patient care
• Evaluate and identify oral lesions, anomalies, or deviations from the norm
• Review patient radiographs and provide diagnostic assessments based on findings
• Review patient medical histories and refer patients to physicians when necessary.
• Evaluate and provide feedback to students on patient care processes and outcomes.
• Consult with patients to explain and review treatment plans
• Other duties as assigned

Licenses/Certifications

• Unencumbered Dentist license in the state of Texas.

Education/Experience

• Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) from an accredited dental program (required)
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience as a dentist (required)

Skills

• Strong clinical judgment and the ability to respond effectively in medical emergencies
• In-depth knowledge of oral pathology, diagnostic procedures, and treatment planning
• Proficiency in dental tools and equipment (e.g., drills, digital x-rays, intraoral cameras)
• Knowledge of dental procedures (fillings, crowns, root canals, extractions, etc.)
• Radiographic interpretation
• Local anesthesia administration
• Infection control and sterilization techniques
• Familiarity with dental software (e.g., Dentrix, Eaglesoft)
• Compassion and patient-centered care
• Communicate (orally or in writing) complex procedures in simple terms
• Calming anxious or fearful patients
• Professional bedside manner
• Collaboration with dental hygienists, assistants, and front office staff

Standard Abilities

• Able and willing to:
  • Communicate, think, learn, and reason
  • Use computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to process transactions, store documents, enter data, or perform assigned tasks
  • Safely ambulate and/or maneuver when on-site at Company locations
  • Demonstrate and utilize active listening, inductive reasoning, information ordering and category flexibility
• Ability to use good judgment, problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage sensitive information with discretion
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment where deadlines are essential and multiple projects are worked simultaneously
• Ability to gain, understand and apply information and data as it relates essential functions of the position
• Ability to foster long-term relationships with stakeholders

Abilities

• Ability to provide clear, supportive instruction and guidance to students in a clinical setting
• Ability to evaluate student performance objectively and provide constructive feedback

Work Environment

• Work is performed indoors in a climate-controlled environment when on site at assigned company location. Employees must be able to safely ambulate when on company premises.
• This position is designated as On Campus or On site; Work environments may include exposure to student learning environments with a variety of conditions. Employees must be able to follow all safety precautions including the use of personal-protective equipment. Employees must also be able to adhere to site-specific safety procedures.
• No travel required.