Oral Surgeon

JOB TITLE: Oral Surgeon FLSA STATUS: Exempt DEPARTMENT: Dental SUPERVISED BY: Dental Director

FTE 0.25

I. POSITION FUNCTION SUMMARY

Under the general direction of the Dental Director, the Oral Surgeon’s duties are in support of the mission, goals and objectives of Hawaiʻi Island Community Health Center (HICHC). He/she performs professional dental care in the diagnosis and treatment of patients in scheduled and unscheduled appointments; participation of dental education for non-dental clinical staff of HICHC, engagement in public service in addition to the administrative functions.

II. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This position may have various work assignments within HICHC. This description is intended to be generic in nature, and as such it does not detail all duties and responsibilities of the job assignment. Various duties, responsibilities and accountabilities may be assigned to an incumbent in this position depending on clinic needs, and may include but not be limited to the following:

• Provides immediate evaluation and management of emergency problems to HICHC dental patients as they occur in addition to regularly scheduled appointments.

• Performs dental procedures compatible with the facility's operating capability, equipment and privileges granted.

• Performs preoperative and postoperative care.

• Treats infections of the oral cavity, salivary glands, jaw, face, and neck.

• Performs surgical procedures to extract impacted or damaged teeth, place dental implants, and remove tumors and other abnormal growths of the oral and/or facial regions.

o Must be proficient in the following:

o Extraction of simple fully erupted primary and permanent teeth.

o Extraction of teeth with severe caries, teeth previously treated with nonsurgical root canal therapy (NSRCT), or teeth diagnosed as non-restorable.

o Complex surgical extractions of partially/fully impacted teeth requiring the use of a surgical handpiece for sectioning of teeth and ostectomy of bone.

o Procedures requiring Incision and Drainage (I & D) for treatment of infection and placement of surgical drains.

o Incisional/excisional biopsy technique.

• Provides emergency treatment of orofacial injuries including facial lacerations and intraoral lacerations.

• Appropriately administers local anesthetics and nitrous oxide in-office, when necessary.

• Reviews medical histories at every visit.

o History, detailed examination, testing and diagnosis; and treatment of patients in conjunction with oral surgical procedures.

• Charts and reports all pathologic conditions to the patient.

o Prepares and submits appropriate documentation as specified in applicable regulations.

o Records patient care by maintaining detailed notes of appointments with patients, including comments, tests, and/or treatments prescribed, and test results.

• Discusses caries risk assessment, diet, home care status and anticipatory guidance with patients and parent who demonstrate moderate and high caries risk.

• Holds informed consent discussions with each patient prior to initiating any treatment.

o This discussion will include an explanation of the planned procedure and any alternative procedures, disclosure of any significant material risks associated with any alternative, and responding to patient questions.

o Informed consent discussion will be documented in the patient’s chart.

• Develops a written treatment plan and explains all options to the patient.

• Conducts research on defects, diseases, and disorders affecting the oral and/or facial regions.

• Provides support and advice to patients receiving long-term care.

• Prescribes medication to improve recovery and control pain after procedures.

• Where appropriate, makes referrals to specialists.

• Enters and signs all treatment provided in electronic record.

• Instructs dental assistants with chair side, laboratory, sterilization and radiology procedures.

• Provides surgical assistance and advice to staff dental officers on surgical technique.

• Oversees maintenance and cleanliness of dental operatory.

• Delegates expanded duties in accordance with skills of dental auxiliary and within limits of state law.

• Assures integration of patient education into all treatment phases.

• Incorporates patient in education regimen.

• Participates in upholding the integrated health philosophy of the HICHC.

• Meets with medical and behavior health providers on a monthly basis.

• Helps organize weekly Dental Team huddles to discuss patient cases.

• Consults with other providers for questions and concerns regarding patient’s care and makes referrals within HICHC.

• Collaborates with other specialists, such as restorative dentists and orthodontists, to plan treatments.

III. POSITION SPECIFICATION

Requirements of Position

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience

• Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) degree required. • A minimum of three (3) years recent experience in the past five (5) years required.

• Experience working with community programs preferred.

• Must have a desire to work with infants, children, adolescents, adults and their families.

Licenses and Certifications

• Valid current license to practice as an Oral Surgeon in the State of Hawaiʻi required and must be maintained.

• Current Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) registration certification in the State of Hawaiʻi required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Working knowledge of the diagnosis and treatment of dental and oral diseases;

• Working knowledge of the principles, standard practices methods and techniques of dentistry;

• Working knowledge of preventive dentistry and educational methodologies utilized in prevention;

• Knowledge of Implant Dentistry, both surgical and prosthetics. • Ability to appropriately administer local anesthetics, nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation for both adult and pediatric dental patients.

• Skill in oral operative techniques and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients and staff.

• Ability and desire to uphold the mission of the Hawaiʻi Island Community Health Center:

o To make quality, comprehensive, and integrated health services accessible to all regardless of income. These services will be culturally sensitive and will promote community well-being through the practice of “malama pono.”

• Ability to establish and maintain effective communication with patients and coworkers.

• A desire to expand abilities.

• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.

• Ability to motivate patients.

• Ability to prepare and maintain charts, records, logs and reports.

• Must be willing to learn new advancements in oral surgery.

Language Skills

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as government regulations and guidelines, patient records, operating and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, etc.

• Ability to write at a minimal level of competence, including internal reports and memoranda.

• Ability to communicate with diverse groups of people to include staff and providers and patients.

• Ability to communicate effectively with patients and their families to make their visit a pleasant experience.

• Sensitivity to the multicultural nature of the service area population and provide language translation services to patients as needed.

Personal Characteristics

Following a training and orientation period, performs the essential functions and elements of this position, not to exceed six (6) months. Incumbent must be able to maintain complete confidentiality of all dental records, patient interviews and office memoranda. Personal characteristics to include: a team player, professional, personal and professional integrity, excellent communication, excellent customer relations skills, regular work attendance, courteous and friendly, able to work well with diverse groups of people, and gain and maintain respect of others, both inside and outside HICHC.

Confidential and Sensitive Information

Because the employee has access to personal and professional data regarding individual employees and their families, personal data regarding individual patients and the families, and/or sensitive company financial data, an essential job result is the maintenance of a high level of confidentiality of the information processed by the employee. Violation of this confidence may result in disciplinary action, including termination of employment.

IV. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS/WORKING CONDITIONS

General Remarks: The work environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential tasks and functions.

Working Conditions: Dental Clinic environment with possible exposure to airborne and bloodborne pathogens.

Environment: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. There are no known environmental hazards on the premises. Work environment is often stressful. Work is mostly inside, and normal office worker safety precautions and practices are required. Incumbent may be exposed to patients' conditions and some-unpleasant sights, smells and contagious diseases including virus, disease and infection from patients and specimens in working environment. All employees are offered the

opportunity to receive the Hepatitis B vaccination series.

Equipment Use: Frequent use of telephone system and office equipment including but not limited to computer, printer, facsimile machine, copier, and general office supplies. Occasional use of wheelchair, gurney and other assisted devices for patient transfers in the clinic.

Work Hours: 40 hours per week. Incumbent will be scheduled based on operational need (rotate shifts, standby, on call). This position is exempt under the provisions of the Fair labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is not subject to the policies and procedures pertaining to overtime hours and premium pay. The foregoing position description is not all-inclusive of the duties that may be assigned to the employee. In order to ensure maximum flexibility and efficiency and to encourage cross training, employees will be assigned additional duties as deemed necessary or desirable by HICHC.

Mental Demands: Duties require attention to detail, alertness, problem solving, tolerance to stress and exercising sound judgment. Duties require high tolerance and adequate coping skills for dealing with loss, grief and bereavement. Good stress reduction and management skills are essential.

Physical Demands: This is a dental clinic environment and a multi-tasking-oriented position including direct patient care that may require sitting or standing for long periods of time. Must have visual acuity and manual dexterity to interface with computers. Must have auditory acuity to handle phone calls and extensive patient interaction.

V. REMARKS

The foregoing position description is not all-inclusive of the duties that may be assigned to the employee. To ensure maximum flexibility and efficiency and to encourage cross training, employees will be assigned additional duties as deemed necessary or desirable by HICHC.