Dental Director - DN005

Position Overview

The Dental Director leads the development and implementation of a comprehensive oral health care system for NARA, oversees clinical operations, establishes clinic policies, supervises dental staff, and collaborates with the Dental Manager and other program directors to deliver high‑quality, culturally appropriate care.

What you will do

• Maintain a clinical patient load equivalent to 0.75 FTE clinical dentist and provide hands‑on patient care each week.
• Develop, maintain, and implement formal clinic policies and procedures; guide dentists and professional staff to deliver consistent standards of care and ensure highest quality clinical practices.
• Collaborate with the Dental Manager and other management to ensure smooth clinic operations, including staffing and patient visit ratios, scheduling, cost‑benefit of programs, and advise on facilities and equipment purchases and repairs.
• Perform chart reviews in accordance with NARA policies and adhere to their standards.
• Ensure programs meet client needs and utilization is appropriate.
• Develop and monitor client outcomes to ensure the highest level of patient care.
• Work with the Compliance Officer to ensure compliance with OSHA regulations, infection control standards, safety and hazard procedures, and accreditation requirements.
• Collaborate with the Medical Director, Health Services Officer, and other program directors to achieve the highest quality of services and best outcomes for clients and the community.
• Supervise the day‑to‑day clinical activities of all dental provider staff in accordance with federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations.
• Maintain understanding of designated Oregon Board duties for dentists, dental assistants, dental hygienists, and dental therapists.
• Participate in the State of Oregon’s Dental Therapy pilot project (DPP#100) by providing oversight and guidance for its implementation at NARA.
• Build and maintain relationships with the nine Oregon tribes and other tribes, the Indian Health Service, Health Resources & Services Administration, Oregon Primary Care Association, the State of Oregon, and other healthcare entities.
• Develop and maintain relationships with the Native community and ensure their involvement in program design and operation.

Qualifications

• Doctor of Dental Medicine or Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from an ADA‑accredited institution.
• Valid dental license issued by the State of Oregon.
• Controlled Substance Registration Certificate (or ability to obtain one).
• Three years of dental clinic or professional work experience.
• One year of management experience.
• Oregon Nitrous Oxide endorsement; if unavailable, must obtain within six months of hire.
• Basic Life Support certification.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries with clients, the community, and staff.
• Collaborative approach, treating everyone with respect and dignity at all times.
• Experience working within the Native American/Alaska Native community is a plus.
• Pass a pre‑employment or for‑cause drug test.
• Pass criminal background and DMV checks.

Benefits

• 14 Paid Holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Battle of Little Big Horn, Independence Day, Labor Day, Native American Day, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, day after Thanksgiving, and December 25th.
• Affordable Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance through Kaiser Permanente.
• 13 Paid Days of Sick Time.
• 13 Paid Days of PTO (Vacation accruals increase with years of service to a maximum of 26 days).
• $50,000 Life Insurance & AD&D.
• Short‑Term and Long‑Term Disability.
• Flexible Spending Account.
• Health Spending Account.
• 401(k) with 4% match.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Inclement Weather Days (Snow Days).
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness.

Equal Opportunity & Compliance

NARA Northwest is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Preference in hiring is given to qualified Native Americans in accordance with the Indian Preference Act (Title25, U.S. Code, Sections472 and473). The agency complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and its state counterpart.

This job description is not intended to be an all‑inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position. The agency reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary.