Public Health Dentist

Job Status: Permanent Part-Time

Union: Non-Union

Hours of Work: 7-21 hours per week

Location: CK Public Health Dental Clinic, 519 King Street W, Chatham

Reason for Vacancy: Replacement

Closing Date: Application will be accepted up to November 26th, at 11:59pm EST.

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent has openings for permanent part-time Public Health Dentists with the Public Health Unit.

Recognizing that candidates may maintain private practice commitments, this position offers flexibility in scheduling. Applicants are encouraged to indicate their availability, from one to three days per week. The Municipality may appoint one or more qualified candidates to meet the overall service requirements

Job Description:

Working as a member of an interdisciplinary team, the Public Health Dentist will perform a broad range of dental services using a comprehensive health promotion approach. Dental services will be provided for those who are eligible to participate in Ontario government funded dental programs.

The Public Health Dentist will provide service that is consistent with the mission, vision, values, objectives, policies, and standards of CK Public Health. This individual must be able to assess clients in a holistic manner, utilizing a broad understanding of priority groups and the social determinants of health to identify additional supports that can contribute to clients achieving optimal health.

Essential responsibilities:

• Demonstrate Chatham-Kent’s core values and competencies
• Obtains comprehensive client medical history and verifies/ applies medical history prior to treatment.
• Performs complete oral examinations, establishes diagnosis, provides clients education and formulates comprehensive treatment plans, and obtains informed consent.
• Performs recall exams and works in conjunction with dental team to ensure comprehensive oral health of clients on a regular basis.
• Responsible for fabrication of dental prosthetic appliance process and working in conjunction with lab
• Ensures proper x-ray quality assurance and disposal of biohazardous waste as per legislation.
• Performs routine practices and additional precautions according to current infection control guidelines as per RCDSO guidelines and IPAC.
• Provides client education related to oral health.
• Oral health promotion, presentation, advocacy, and community outreach efforts including collaborations with partnering agencies in order to promote access to oral health and better serve the community.
• Work in a manner that incorporates health promotion recognizing the social determinants of health.
• Completes all documentation in accordance with CK Public Health’s clinical dental documentation policies and current professional standards set by the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario.
• Provides a broad range of clinically indicated routine and emergency dental services including, but not limited to:
  • Examination and Diagnosis

• • Radiographs
  • Emergency services
  • Prescribe antibiotics and administers local anesthetic as clinically indicated
  • Test/Analysis, Histopathological (technical procedure only)
  • Extractions, Removals, Residual Roots
  • Alveoloplasty
  • Surgical Incision and Drainage and/or Exploration
  • Replantation, Repositioning of Traumatically Displaced/Avulsed Teeth
  • Implant removal
  • Restorative services
  • Oral Surgery services
  • Anaesthesia and Sedation
  • Endodontic services
  • Periodontal services
  • Prosthodontic services
• Receive referrals from private dental and medical providers, and refers clients for medical testing or further assessment and treatment if warranted.
• Maintains client records in accordance with the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO) Record Keeping Guidelines and adhering to CK Public Health policies and procedures.
• Utilizes best practices and enhanced precautions according to current infection control guidelines as per RCDSO, PHO guidelines and IPAC
• Maintains professional and clinical competence through participation in the RCDSO Quality Assurance Program
• Perform other duties as assigned

Essential Qualifications:

• Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree from a university recognized by the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario and eligible to practice clinical dentistry in Ontario.
• Current CPR certification.
• Three (3) to five (5) years experience working in a community health facility or public health setting is an asset.
• Knowledge and competence in current clinical techniques and procedures, including the interpretation of client medical histories, diagnosis through visual examination and interpretation of radiographs, preventive and restorative services, oral surgery, periodontics and endodontics and infection control measures.
• An understanding of Federal, Provincial and Municipal legislation and regulations such as the Health Protection and Promotion Act, Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA), Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario Practice Standards and Code of Ethics, Child and Family Services Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act
• Establish and maintain respectful and collaborative professional and ethically sound relationships with all clients, colleagues, and partner organizations
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills with a strong ability to work independently and take initiative
• Excellent computer skills for electronic record systems including web-based case management tools and creation of outcome reports
• Ability of set priorities, complete work and meet deadlines.
• Ability to provide compassionate, respectful, non-judgemental and culturally competent care to vulnerable populations
• Demonstrate reliability and the ability to work flexible hours and under flexible conditions
• Ability to wear personal protective equipment as required
• Ensure proper x-ray quality assurance and safety, and act as CKPHU Radiation Protection Officer

Other qualifications:

• Knowledge of continuous quality improvement principles and/or experience participating in CQI projects is an asset
• Knowledge of the eligibility requirements for publicly funded dental programs including the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP), Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO), Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), Ontario Works (OW), Ontario Disability Services Program (ODSP) and Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB)
• Two (2) years experience working with priority populations, seniors and/or children
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), and SharePoint; experience with Abeldent and Oral Health Information Support System (OHISS) is an asset; ability to learn new software programs. The ability to communicate both written and oral in a second language is an asset

Certifications, memberships, licenses:

• Certification in nitrous oxide and oral sedation course approved by the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario an asset
• Member in good standing with the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario
• Current registration to practice in Ontario as a Doctor of Dental Surgery
• Must maintain good standing professional malpractice liability insurance as required by the RCDSO
• Must provide a copy of professional liability insurance prior to start date
• Current Basic Life Support certification: CPR and AED
• Registrants providing sedation must meet the requirements of the RCDSO; including successful completion of RCDSO approved training, continuing education, the minimum number of cases performed each year to maintain competence for each level of sedation and the modality(ies) to be use.

Work environment/hours of work:

• This position works mostly indoors
• This position works weekdays with occasional evening and weekend hours

Driver’s license/vehicle requirements:

Because this position may be required to travel, a valid Province of Ontario driver's license with a reliable motor vehicle is necessary.

Background check requirements

The successful candidate will be required to furnish an original Police Information Search (criminal reference check) (working with vulnerable persons) prior to commencement of employment; you must be 18 years of age or older to obtain a vulnerable police check

Essential physical and/or safety requirements:

• Mask fit testing (N95)
• Physical requirements: ability to lift 25 kilograms
• Sitting: constant sitting in a chair (use operator's chair; driving to and from clinic locations)
• Reaching: frequent reading forward (reaching during treatment of each client; reaching to pack equipment)
• Hands: constant fine finger dexterity (movement), gripping, pinching (finger dexterity - scaling, mirror, hand piece, air/water syringe)
• Foot action: frequent one foot action (clinic equipment is operated by foot pedal)
• Will be required to provide immunization records and 2 step TB skin test results and comply with the Health Unit’s immunization policies
• Fully vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccines

Benefits

This permanent part-time position has an hourly wage of $113.37 will receive vacation and statutory benefits in accordance with Employment Standards Act. This compensation structure is under review and may be adjusted during the recruitment process or following appointment.

________

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fair and accessible employment practices that attract and retain talented employees in a workplace that is inclusive, supportive, and reflective of the diverse community we serve.

The Municipality does not use artificial intelligence or automated decision‑making tools in its recruitment or selection processes; all hiring decisions are made by people.

Should you require accommodations during the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources & Organizational Development (HROD) at 519-360-1998. Applicant information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Privacy legislation and will be used strictly for the purpose of candidate selection.