DENTIST

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Purpose of Job
The purpose of this classification is to diagnose dental disease, injuries, malformations of the teeth and gums and provide essential dental services, including preventative, restorative, and emergency services to the community.

Essential Functions
The Dentist is responsible for the following essential functions:

• Views assignment board and obtains patient assignment


• Reviews medical/dental history chart of assigned patient


• Consults with dental assistant for any additional updated information related to patient


• Determines if any pre-exam medications are to be administered (SBE)


• Interviews, examines, and discusses exam findings with patient


• Orders X-rays, if necessary, reviews x-rays


• Informs patient of recommended treatment procedure, obtains patient consent for treatment


• Administers appropriate pre-procedural medication, including topical anesthetic, through oral swabbing and/or injection


• Completes recommended procedure


• Provides appropriate post-procedural medication, if necessary


• Directs dental assistant in various aspects of patient treatment


• Provides post-procedural instruction to patient


• Discusses comprehensive treatment plans with patient, within the departmental guidelines, which meet patient’s needs


• Records all pertinent information in a clear, concise, and professional manner in patient chart


• Completes all necessary paperwork for each patient visit and dismisses patient


• Performs dental exams/screenings in clinic and in outreach in school-based setting, utilizing portable equipment, record findings and complete appropriate assessment forms


• Attends seminars and continuing education courses as required for licensure or by employer


• Provides appropriate referrals as needed


• Required to see patients until all patients have been treated, dismissed and exited the clinic


• Assists dental assistants with various aspects of their identified job duties


• Performs student evaluations as required


• Assists in evaluation of auxiliary staff


• All duties are completed in accordance with the rules, regulations, protocols, and procedural guidelines established by the Tennessee Board of Health, Tennessee Dental Practice Act, Tennessee Code Annotated, American Dental Association, OSHA, TOSHA, CDC, and Knox County Health Department

Additional Job Functions

• Respond to and report immediately if called upon by local, regional or central office supervisors, as part of a coordinated emergency response by the Knox County Mayor’s Office


• Ensure regular, punctual attendance during scheduled work hours


• Perform other duties as required

Minimum Training & Qualifications

• Doctoral Degree in Dental Sciences required, with one (1) year of clinical practice experience in dentistry


• Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered for employment into the position


• Must possess and maintain a valid State of Tennessee dental license and unrestricted DEA registration/certification


• Must obtain or possess a current CPR certification

Specialized Knowledge

• Ability to use foot controlled and hand controlled equipment, dental tools including small instruments, handles, drills, fluid extractors, water dispenser, suction tools, latex or non-latex gloves, writing utensils, x-ray equipment, (hand held) x-ray developer, enlarger, autoclave sanitizers, cleaning equipment and fluids, chemical containers, supplies, dental equipment, assistive devices, adjustable chairs and tables, needles, syringes, automatic instrument cleaner, associated sanitizing wraps and bags, medical/dental charts, copier/fax

Competencies

• Basic understanding of computers, printers and other office equipment


• Must be proficient in Windows OS and Microsoft Word


• Ability to focus and demonstrate great attention to detail


• Ability to work cooperatively as a member of a team


• Ability to perform bi-lateral upper extremity movements simultaneously in a highly repetitive, short cycle sequence and pace


• Ability to comprehend, apply and follow set guidelines and procedures outlined by the governing body


• Ability to adapt to a changing rotation of duties or responsibilities


• Ability to work with co-workers in a direct relationship in order to accomplish the task assigned


• Ability to adjust one’s coordination and activity to accommodate other’s activities


• Ability to arrange instruments in a sequenced manner and identify the correct instrument or equipment necessary to complete a task


• Ability to wear personal protective equipment (gloves and masks, etc.) and clothing as required by governing body


• Ability to learn, comprehend, and apply complex principles and techniques, to make independent judgments, and to acquire knowledge of topics related to the position


• Ability to record and deliver information in a professional and effective manner, both verbally and in writing


• Position does require the ability to actively listen, comprehend information and present information in a manner that others would comprehend and that effectively conveys the information in a professional manner


• Ability to smell is preferred


• Position does require the ability to see details at close range

Physical Requirements

• This position requires constant (5.5 to 8.0 hours in an 8-hour shift) standing and walking on a tile floor for a distance up to 120 feet. Position requires occasional (0 to 2.5 hours in an 8-hour shift) sitting in a padded, ergonomic, adjustable height chair/stool with rollers affixed to the bottom of the legs


• Position is required to lift up to 60 pounds on an infrequent basis when participating in the school program; this weight can be assisted with additional manpower. Position is required to lift up to 10 pounds on a frequent (2.5 to 5.5 hours in an 8-hour shift) basis. All lifting and carrying is completed up to 50 feet


• When assisting with the loading and moving of the outreach school program equipment, utilizing an assistive device, an initial force of up to 25 pounds of push/pull force is required, depending on the amount of weight loaded on to the assistive roll cart to initiate movement, however, 10 pounds of sustained force is required to maintain movement. This total body force is viewed as an infrequent physical activity. While performing the duties assigned, up to 8 pounds of lower extremity force may be required to operate foot controls for the adjustable chair. This activity is viewed as an infrequent activity in an 8- hour shift


• In the course of the daily operations, the position may be required to maneuver the overhead lamp to the desired field of light for the dentist to view a specific area or angle, requiring up to 8 pounds of pull force to be exerted, this activity is completed at a height ranging from 54 inches above the floor to 75 inches above the floor and is estimated at up to 10 repetitions per patient


• During the daily activities, this position is required to constantly (5.5 to 8.0 hours in an 8-hour shift) grip dental tools and equipment in a repetitive manner. The grip force required for these activities does not exceed 10 pounds of estimated grip force. The position may be required to utilize up to 40 pounds of grip force when extracting a tooth for a short period of time. The estimated frequency of this activity is up to 20 times per shift


• One flight of standard stairs may be utilized in an emergency to exit the building. When participating in the outreach school program, position may have to climb standard stairs to gain entrance and to exit a building, again on an infrequent basis
  Exam rooms are measured at 9 feet x 11 inches by 9 feet x 11 inches. The number of people in a room can reduce the workspace at one time however the workspace would not be considered as a confined workspace access. All work areas are open access and are not enclosed. No work area observed would be classified as a confined workspace access


• Job does require repetitive bending at the waist level in a forward leaning position to 60 degrees. Job does require repetitive bi-lateral upper extremity postures at a mid-abdomen to shoulder level height while simultaneously maintaining a steady, coordinated posture


• Position requires reaching up to 85 inches on an occasional (0 to 2.5 hours in an 8-hour shift) basis throughout the course of the workday. Frequent (2.5 to 5.5 hours in an 8-hour shift) reaching is required at a height of up to 30 to 34 inches (above floor level inches)


• Position is required to periodically assume reaching postures to accommodate the size of the patient or the angle of entry that the dentist is attempting to obtain in the course of completing a procedure. Position does require the ability to maintain precise, coordinated hand and upper extremity positioning with bi-laterally coordinated upper extremity movements on a repetitive basis

Occupational Hazards

• Exposure to body fluids including saliva and blood


• Exposure to cleaning fluids, disinfecting fluids and chemicals required for machine operation


• Exposure to needles and syringes


• Exposure to radiation


• Risk of exposure to infectious agents with the possibility of becoming ill

Knox County Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Knox County Government may provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Type : INTERNAL & EXTERNAL

Location : HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Posting Start : 08/18/2026

Posting End : 12/31/2026

MINIMUM HOURLY RATE: $69.17