Dental Surgeon 1 (HPC/DS 1) – Manchester Health Services

JOB PURPOSE

Under the supervision of the Parish Dental Surgeon, the Dental Surgeon is responsible for providing clinical dental services and preventive dental care in a hospital or community health centre setting. The Staff Dentist in accordance with provision of the Dental Act supervises the following individuals: dental nurses, dental assistants and dental hygienists of the community health center in the absence of the Dental Consultant. 

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

• Graduation from an accredited /approve dental school 
• Completion of an accredited general practice residency programme is preferred or successful completion of Dental Internship 
• Registration with the Dental Council of Jamaica 

SPECIALISED TRAINING (A definite asset)

• Current CPR (BLS) certifications. ACLS is an asset 
• Infection Prevention and Control 
• Dental Jurisprudence, Ethics and Professionalism 
• Voluntary Counselling and Testing protocols for HIV/AIDS 
• Management of the Special Needs Patients. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS

• Examines individuals requesting care, diagnoses their dental/oral conditions, prescribes and carries out, or directs others in carrying out, appropriate dental/oral treatment, or refers individuals for specialty consultation or treatment in conformance with approved clinical protocols and guidelines. 
• Records patient-dentist transactions as they occur in the patient’s dental record so that the dental record accurately and completely reflects the nature of the contact, the condition of the patient and the care or treatment provided. In addition the Staff Dentist shall complete referrals, data collections instruments and other records or paper works as shall be required from time to time by the Ministry of Health and the Regional Health Authority. 
• Educates individuals in the nature of oral health related conditions and in the general promotion of oral health related disease prevention 
• Serves on the dental staff and other center committees as assigned. 
• Prepares specific reports as requested by the community /Parish/Zone health centre’s Dental Consultant. 
• Assists in the provision of continuing education, on-the-job training, and the orientation of community health center staff as requested. 
• Designs, develops, and implements appropriate Dental Department policies, protocols and procedures as directed by the Dental Consultant which are in compliance with the most current accepted professional standards. 
• Assists in the provision of technical assistance and health education to the community as requested.
• Participates in short and long term program planning for the Dental Department and the agency, including development of goals and objectives. 
• Provides consultation to the Operation Manager of the facility and the Parish Manager and Medical Officer of Health regarding dental and oral health issues in the absence of the Dental Consultant.
• Travels when necessary to fulfil the department needs and attends meetings as necessary to represent the Health Facility and/or the Dental Department. 
• Assists in the coordination and integration of the department’s dental programmes and services with other corporate and public health programmes and services for the welfare of the department’s patients 
• Responsible for personal full compliance with all applicable rules, regulations, protocols and procedures governing the practice of dentistry and the clinical provision of dental care as well as those relating to, but not limited to, personnel issues, workplace safety, public health and confidentiality. 
• Participates in recruitment/retention activities of the department as necessary.
• As directed by the Dental Consultant, performs other related and/or necessary tasks to achieve organizational and programmatic goals and objectives. 

Human Resources Responsibilities 

• Participates in annual performance appraisal 
• Undertakes professional development and continuing education 
• Involvement in the recruitment and interview process for dental staff

Other Responsibilities

• Performs other related functions assigned from time to time by the Dental Consultant May perform managerial functions at the Parish Level from time to time. 

NB. ONLY SHORTLISTED APPLICANTS WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED.