PUBLIC HEALTH DENTIST C 42414

 

5/9/75 B

Supervises and coordinates a team of specialized dentists who are planning dental treatment for the total health rehabilitation of categorical groups of children in localities of the State under the dental health program of the Department of Health.

The duties are performed as director of a team of specialized dentists or as a director of a region or a program serving a population within a region of 200,000 or more. The Dental Health Director will specify the geographical boundaries included within a region. The work involves approximately one-half time in the treatment of patients; the remaining time includes collecting and interpreting oral health data to determine the effectiveness of the existing dental health program and to provide a basis for revising the program. When necessary, as determined by the Dental Health Director, visits are made to observe work and to render technical assistance to Public Health Dentists A and B. Conferences are held with local government and health officials in counties and cities to present the requirements and desirabilities of a dental program. Administrative supervision is received from the Dental Health Director, who designates the type and scope of data to be gathered, the objectives of the Dental Program, and makes decisions on matters affecting Department of Health policy.

Examples of duties characteristic of positions in this class:

1. Coordinates the treatment and planning of rehabilitation procedures with allied medical professions and evaluation teams.

2. Inspects dental clinics operated within a region designated by the Dental Health Director; determines quality and quantity of treatment performed, cleanliness and convenience of facilities, attitude or clinicians and patients, and the scope of dental health education conducted.

3. Collects oral health data from any special treatment performed; this data is interpreted to determine such information as to effectiveness of various preventive and corrective measures, the type and quantity of various oral defects within a designated region, and similar information necessary in planning and coordinating the dental health program.

4. Prepares and presents talks before groups of dentists pertaining to new developments in dentistry and the dental problems of the region.

5. Confers with governmental, health, and school officials of the region participating in the dental program so as to provide information on the benefits, cost, space required, and related information about various regional oral health programs.

6. Plans, directs, and assigns recommended programs from the Dental Health Director for implementation of program within the assigned region.

7. Confers with and renders technical assistance to other State agencies to coordinate the oral health program with functions such as education and welfare.

 

Graduation from an accredited school of dentistry, licensed to practice dentistry in the State, supplemented by two years of professional dental experience as a pededontist with a specialized team of dentists, or two years in public health dentistry at the level indicated by the duties of Public Health Dentist B and one year as a Public Health Dentist A. Graduate training in public health may be substituted for experience on the basis of one year of experience at the level of Public Health Dentist B.

Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of preventive and corrective dentistry and oral hygiene; considerable knowledge of the dental health program and dental rules and regulations of the Department of Health; ability to conduct, promote, and supervise dental health programs.