The Staff Dentist (Pedodontics) serves as a clinical dental specialist in Pediatric Dentistry for the FDIHB 24-chair Department of Dental Services; and 4-chair satellite clinic at Nahata’Dziil Health Center. Under general supervision, the Staff Dentist (Pedodontics) provides the full range of pediatric dentistry services. These services focus primarily on treating dental conditions in children ages 0-16 years of age and special needs adults, associated with infections, trauma, congenital  and  developmental  anomalies,  caries,  periodontal  diseases  and  the  management  of  behavior  in  pre- cooperative or uncooperative dental patients.

Patient Care Functions: Provides the comprehensive range of pediatric dental specialty procedures for pediatric and special-needs patients on both primary and permanent teeth. Completes limited, periodic, and comprehensive examinations on new and established dental program pediatric patients and special-needs adults; reviews the patient’s medical and dental history; examines the oral cavity, head & neck and oropharynx of each patient for evidence of pathology; prescribes and interprets routine radiographs to identify soft tissues, tooth structures, and dental diseases and abnormalities. Prepares treatment plans for patients including assessment of the problem, type of oral hygiene care required, nutrition assessment and counseling, restorative and rehabilitative care possible with available resources and the sequence of appointments needed to complete treatment. Makes recommendations concerning optimum dental care so that the parents or guardians can make an informed decision on personal resources that may be required to obtain this level of dental care. Provides patient education and chairside oral hygiene instruction including: brushing and flossing techniques, and use of periodontal aids.  Plans and adapts instructions in home care techniques to individual patients. Thoroughly communicates diagnoses, treatment options, and post-treatment instructions. Evaluates, diagnoses, and properly treats dental diseases and oral health problems of greater than usual difficulty. Performs complex full mouth dental rehabilitation for pediatric dental patients and special needs adults requiring a great deal of specialized care within the operating room setting. Collaborates with FDIHB and external dental and medical teams to appropriately manage the treatment of patients with significant medical complexities and immunodeficiency. Collaborates with other FDIHB departments, physicians, nurses, and staff for appropriately scheduling and provision of safe and efficient dental treatment within the surgical suites of the FDIHB Operating Room. Provides appropriate emergency dental services, including treatment of trauma, pain, and infection for children of all ages and special-needs patients.  Will be expected to treat emergency/walk-in patients when needed or during times of broken appointments or cancellations. Provides services of scope, quality, and quantity consistent with FDIHB and Dental Program policies and expectations. Participates in community outreach programs including the FDIHB School Dental Sealant Program, Well Child Clinics, Head Start Programs, and other events related to health promotion and disease prevention. Maintains a recall system for follow-up of chronic care or pathology patients. Works on a rotation with the other staff dentists to provide emergency dental call after hours, on weekends, and during holiday time periods. Researches current dental literature and regularly attends hospital and dental staff meetings to make improvements in the dental program. Participates in annual continuing dental education to meet state license requirements and to keep up-to-date on the most current dental materials, techniques, research findings, and standards of care. Maintains record systems related to patient care and progress notes according to established FDIHB policies. Efficiently manages daily schedules that may require treating patients in multiple dental operatives simultaneously and effectively manages assigned patient population, as well as, daily, short-term, and long-term schedules. Appropriately utilizes expanded function dental assistants, where indicated. Accepts responsibility and accountability for all patient treatment, coding, and treatment notes. Demonstrates a commitment to professionalism and strives to continually deliver the highest quality of patient care. Possesses the knowledge of word processing software and the ability to learn simple spreadsheet entry and patient management information systems. Supports and contributes to the mission, vision, and values of FDIHB and the Department of Dental Services. Accepts and completes other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Administrative Functions: Reviews and revises the FDIHB Pediatric Program for effectiveness, efficiency, quality, and improvement. Serves as consultant, advisor, and mentor to other FDIHB general dentists.  Provides lecture presentations, hands-on training courses, department continuing education opportunities, and technical guidance and direction for improved development of the FDIHB dental program providers. Reviews appropriateness of current FDIHB Pediatric Program equipment, instruments, materials, and techniques, and provides recommendations to the FDIHB Chief of Dental Services. In the absence of the Director of Dental Services and other Supervisory Staff Dentists, the Staff Dentist (Pedodontics) may be requested to serve as Acting Chief of Dental Services. Provides oversight for the Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen Anxiolysis Program with the Department of Dental Services. Responsibilities include providing recommendations for updates to the Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen Anxiolysis Policy, ensuring sufficient quality and quantity of nitrous oxide equipment, and annual staff training. Provides oversight and annual training for the utilization of Silver Diamine Fluoride with the Department of Dental Services. Provides indirect leadership and oversight for, as well as, technical and clinical guidance and direction to, assigned Dental Assistants on a “one on one,” basis and provides necessary feedback to Dental Assistant Supervisors. Routinely meets with assigned dental assistants to discuss expectations for patient care, teamwork improvement, equipment and supply needs, as well as, other concerns or issues that will improve delivery of care and patient experiences. Attends weekly Pod meeting to facilitate communication between dental assistants and dental assistant supervisor. Attends FDIHB meetings as required or requested. Performs other duties as assigned.