Definition
Directs and/or participates in the performance of professional dental work at an institution.
Typical Work
Participates in the dental clinic program at an institution;
Makes oral examination of patients to determine oral health; records number of teeth, their condition, position and relationship to each other, notes type, size and location of fillings; checks condition of gums; evaluates bone support for teeth;
Determines extent of patient's cooperation and amount of dental service that can be given;
Extracts teeth, removes cavities from teeth; prepares teeth for fillings and inserts filling material such as amalgam, plastic, gold or acrylic;
Diagnoses and treats pathological conditions; prescribes medication for treatment of diseases of dental nature; renders peridental treatments; administers local or general anesthetic; takes and processes dental radiographs;
Constructs appliances such as dentures, partials, minor orthodontic appliances and bridgework, crowns, jackets and inlays;
Cleans and polishes teeth, fillings and dentures;
Determines condition and quantity of dental equipment and supplies; requisitions items as needed;
Presents movies and slides, gives lectures and instruction in tooth brushing, and promotes dental care and hygiene among patients, students or residents;
Prepares reports concerning dental work and dental health of patients;
Performs other work as required.
Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of: principles and practices of preventive and corrective dentistry, oral hygiene, and oral surgery.
Ability to: administer dental health program in institution; prescribe and fit dentures; perform variety of dental work on volume basis on students, residents and ambulatory and bed patients; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with institutional staff; analyze dental health problems and determine effective solutions.
Legal Requirement(s)
There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.
Desirable Qualifications
A Doctor's degree from accredited school of dentistry
AND
two years' experience in the practice of dentistry.
Note: A valid Washington State license to practice dentistry is required.
Class Specification History
New class code: (formerly 54220) effective July 1, 2007
Title change (formerly Dentist 2); adopted May 14, 2009, effective May 15, 2009.
Salary adjustment adopted 6/30/2015, effective 7/1/2015.
Base range salary adjustment adopted 6/30/2017, effective 7/1/2017; 83E to 87.