DENTAL HEALTH DIRECTOR 42416

8/1/68 A

Directs the state-wide dental health program of the Department of Health.

The duties include planning and supervising the dental health education program and may also involve the preparation of written educational material and the presentation of talks; supervising the dental clinical services through field visits; and planning, organizing and supervising the demonstration programs of new techniques in dental health. Responsibility is assumed for the planning and conducting of dental health research programs. General supervision is exercised over a field staff of Public Health Dentists B. Administrative supervision is received from the Local Health Services Director who makes major decisions affecting Department of Health policy.

Examples of duties characteristic of positions in this class:

Makes field visits to observe the effectiveness of the dental health education and clinical work being performed by the field staff.

Reviews and evaluates research and statistical reports to determine the status of the present dental health program so that changes may be made which will strengthen the weak points in the program.

Participates in the recruitment activities for public health dentists to explain the Department of Health dental program, and recommends to the Commissioner of Health the appointment of qualified dentists.

Prepares periodic and special reports from material gathered by subordinates; these reports may be narrative, statisitacl, or a comfination of the two pertaining to the status of dental health in the State.

Supplies technical information to subordinates on the latest developments in public health dentistry.

Confers with local governmental, health, and school officials to appraise the status of the local dental health program, or to present data about a proposed program in non-participating locallities; works with non-State organizations on dental health programs.

Approves and supervises the training program for newly appointed public health dentists and Dental Assistants, and renders technical assistance on unusual dental problems which arise during the training period. Plans and conducts dental health research programs such as flouride benefits, mouth washes and chronic illnesses.

Graduation from an accredited school of dentistry, supplemented by seven years of professional dental experience, at least three years of which must have been in public health dentistry at the supervisory level, and a license to practice as a dentist in the State, or eligibility therefor. Graduate training in public health may be substituted for experience on the basis of one yhear of graduate training for two years of experience.

Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of preventive and corrective dentistry and oral hygiene, and of the dental lprogram, and rules and regulations pertaining to dental health needs and of modern practices in public health dental programs. Ability to interpret public health laws and ordinances. Ability to supervise a field staff in carrying out the State dental health program, a major part of which is providing dental services to school children.