Legacy Community Health is a premium, Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that provides comprehensive care to community members regardless of their ability to pay. Our goal is to treat the entire patient while improving their overall wellness and quality of life, in addition to providing free pregnancy tests, HIV/AIDS screening. At Legacy, we empower patients to lead better lives by promoting healthy behaviors and offering resources such as literacy classes, family planning services, and nutrition and weight management information.

Our roots began in 1981 as the Montrose Clinic, with specialization in HIV education, testing, and treatment. Since then, the agency has expanded to 10 clinics in Houston, one in Baytown, two in Beaumont, and one in Deer Park with extensive services that include: Adult primary care, HIV/AIDS care, pediatrics, OB/GYN and maternity, dental, vision and behavioral health. We also service students within KIPP and YES Prep schools. Legacy is committed to driving healthy change in our communities.

Job Description

The Staff Dentist is primarily responsible for providing dental care for the patients of Legacy Community Health Services, Inc. In addition, the Staff Dentist may be directed to perform other duties as directed by the Director of Dental Services in accordance with licensing, State and Federal funding agencies and other regulatory requirements, and in accordance with the policies and procedures established by Legacy Community Health Services (LCHS).

Job Requirements

• Educates patients and parents regarding preventative dental care, the causes and treatment of dental problems, and oral health care services
• Analyze and evaluate dental needs to determine changes and trends in patterns of
• Administer anesthetics to limit the amount of pain experienced by patients during procedures
• Apply fluoride and sealants to teeth. Bleach, clean, or polish teeth to restore the natural color
• Design, make, and fit prosthodontic appliances such as space maintainers, or write fabrication instructions or prescriptions and dental technicians
• Diagnose and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth, gums, and related oral structures, and provide preventive and corrective services
• Eliminate irritating margins of fillings and correct occlusions, using dental instruments, including but not limited to, high speed drill, etc.
• Examine teeth, gums, and related tissues, using dental instruments, x-rays, and other diagnostic equipment, to evaluate dental health, diagnose diseases or abnormalities, and plan appropriate treatments; (List:
• Fill pulp chamber and canal with endodontic materials.
• Conducting morning meetings with dental staff to ensure that everyone is on the same page regarding the day’s schedule, procedures and patient load.
• Maintain comprehensive and accurate recordings, including but not limited to,
  1. Dental _____
  2. Clinical Exam
  3. Diagnosis, Txplan, Tx Medical History
• Provide quality care for all dental patients of LCHS.
• Adhere to the highest standard of dental practices, ethics and professionalism at all times.
• Assist the Director of Dental Services in establishing dental policies, quality improvement procedures, evaluating current practices, and make recommendations.
• Recommend changes in all areas to improve patient flow, dental records, dental billings, and appointment practices.
• Supervise, direct, train, and educate dental ancillary staff to perform their duties when necessary to understand policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Provide “emergency call” as scheduled by the Dental Director in accordance with protocols established in that regard and common and standard practices.
• Participation in community health events, such as school screenings, health fairs, social and community events, etc.
• Participates in the Performance Improvement Program
• Must maintain a minimum of 12 hours appropriate continuing education credit
• Responsible for overall operation and outcomes of designated clinical department.
• Reports clinical concerns to Director of Dental Services, to include, but not be limited to Scope of Dentistry.
• Supervises dental clinical employees.
• Ensures appropriate staffing of designated clinical departments.
• Filters same day walk-in patients, including staff.
• Responsible for providing input toward hiring, performance reviews, and performance management.
• Ensures annual completion of appropriate competency checklist for direct reports.
• Assists Director of Dental Services and performs clinical activities as needed for staffing coverage.
• Ensures documentation of client care as accurate and timely within Centricity EHRS.
• Ensures all client complaints are resolved in a timely manner and forwarded to PI Department.
• Ensures proper incident reporting in collaboration with PI Department.
• Attends clinical staff meetings and educational lunches as assigned by Director of Dental Services, as needed.
• Participates in provider meetings for increased communication.
• Ensures good working order of medical equipment.
• Ensures scheduled compliance checks are performed for designated clinical area.
• Follows organizational policies, procedures, protocols, and adheres to OSHA standards.
• Accesses designated dentist folder for clinical documents.
• Participates in writing policies, procedures, and protocols for clinical area as necessary.
• Assists Director of Dental Services with direct ongoing evaluation of clinical services.
• Performs time keeping through Time and Labor electronic system.
• Fosters a team environment to include support staff and providers. Works within the context of a dental clinic, applying a team based approach to care while working in partnership with patients/families to promote: timely access to care, understanding of patient care that is culturally sensitive and language appropriate, continuity of care, and the improvement of the whole-person through the teaching of appropriate self-management skills.
• Maintains current knowledge/certification/licensure. Pursues professional growth and development as evidenced by:
  • Practices within legal boundaries of dentistry and according to Legacy policy and procedures.
  • Attends continuing education programs in order to maintain licensure.
  • Attends Legacy-sponsored training programs and meetings as required by department.

• Performs all responsibilities/duties required by the unit/department as defined in the scope of service, to ensure that the unique nature of the patient is addressed as evidenced by:
  • Demonstrates the ability to rapidly assess the patient, differentiating between long and short-term needs.
  • Demonstrates knowledge of conscious sedation agents, techniques and actions.
  • Patients prepared for their procedures(s) and chart completed in a timely fashion.

• Attends all required safety training programs and can describe his/her responsibilities related to general safety, department/service safety, and specific job related hazards.

• Meets clinical competencies for age-specific competencies as evidenced during skill competency check-offs.

• Follows Legacy exposure control plans/blood borne and airborne pathogens as evidenced by:
  • Demonstrates knowledge of techniques, procedures, and correct use of protective barrier equipment.
  • Attends annual education programs.
  • Wears and /or uses safety equipment.
• Demonstrates respect and regard for the dignity of all patients, families, visitors and fellow employees to ensure a professional, responsible, and courteous environment as evidenced by:
  • Interacts with all of the above in a considerate, helpful, and courteous manner as observed by Director of Dental Services, Office Manager and peers.
  • Fosters mature professional relationships with fellow employees in a courteous, friendly manner as measured by management observation and peer input.
  • Maintains professional composure and confidence during stressful situations.
  • Maintains open communication using appropriate chain of command regarding issues.
  • Conducts all work activities with respect for rights and wishes of patients, visitors, families and fellow employees.
  • Maintains confidentiality of all Legacy and patient information at all times. Adheres to HIPAA guidelines.
  • Presents neat appearance in proper attire and identification as required by Legacy policy.
  • Displays a positive attitude that contributes to the overall service excellence program in place at Legacy.

EDUCATION & TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

• Graduate Dentist from an accredited dental school in the specialty of Dentistry
• Must have a valid and active dental license in the State of Texas
• Professional clinical dental experience in practicing dentistry
• Authoritative knowledge of the practice and techniques of dentistry as a general practitioner in a community health center is highly desirable
• Knowledge of Spanish is preferred

WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Licensed Dentist with 3 years clinical experience.
• Strong leadership, customer service, and spoken/written communication skills.
• Must have the ability to demonstrate self-confidence and positive attitude toward self and others. Maintains commitment and enthusiasm to goal achievement.
• Excellent team player and communication skills required.

Benefits

As part of values that Healthcare is a Right and not a Privilege, we offer a suite of benefits

• Medical / Vision / Dental (Costs of benefits are based on your yearly salary)
  • Medical visit copays are waived when seeing a Legacy provider.
• 9 Holiday + 1 Floating Holiday
• 403b Retirement Plan
• Bright Horizons Back-up Care
  • As a user of Bright Horizons Back-Up Care, you can conveniently schedule care right from your mobile device with the Back-Up Care app– your easy, time-saving solution to managing family care challenges while on the go.
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • PTO Exchange benefit

PTO Exchange will provide you with the option to convert a portion of your accrued but unused PTO hours for use toward several different benefits and causes, based on your own priorities.

With PTO Exchange, you can convert a portion of your unused PTO into:

• 403(b) Retirement contributions
• Student loan payments / Tuition for the employee
• Leave Sharing donations to fellow employees