Dental Care Specialist

CORE VALUES

The core values of Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) are dignity and stewardship. Each staff member is expected to perform their job duties in a way that preserves dignity for our patients and maintains good stewardship of the Center's resources. 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Dental Care Specialist supports individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDD) in accessing, coordinating, and maintaining appropriate dental care. This position serves as a liaison between individuals, families, caregivers, dental providers, healthcare professionals, and community resources to reduce barriers to oral healthcare and promote improved dental health outcomes. The Dental Care Specialist uses a person-centered, trauma-informed, and disability-informed approach to help individuals successfully navigate dental services, including preventive care, routine treatment, specialty services, and procedures requiring additional accommodation or coordination.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

1. 1. Timely coordinate multiple processes/priorities dental appointments, referrals, treatment plans, and follow-up care for individuals with NDD.
2. Support individuals and caregivers with preventive care, treatment scheduling, and understanding dental recommendations.
3. Identify barriers to dental care and coordinate accommodations for transportation, communication, sensory, behavioral, financial, and accessibility needs.
4. Communicate care needs and coordinate services among dental providers, caregivers, and interdisciplinary healthcare teams.
5. Assist with complex dental procedures requiring sedation, anesthesia, hospital-based care, or medical clearance.
6. Follow up on missed appointments, track outstanding dental needs, and monitor treatment completion.
7. Provide oral health education, address urgent dental concerns, and connect individuals with appropriate resources.
8. 8. Maintain accurate documentation, prioritize appropriately, protect confidentiality, and participate in interdisciplinary care planning.

The essential functions listed are not an exhaustive list of every task the employee is required to complete. Employees are expected to perform all other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Experience in dental care, healthcare coordination, case management, disability services, or a related field.
2. Experience working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

1. Social and cultural sensitivity appropriate to ethnically and economically diverse patient-and-employee base.
2. Communicates through appropriate channels. Use proper chain of command for patient complaints. 
3. Must be computer literate, proficient in Microsoft Office products, and experience with electronic health record software- preferably E Clinical Works (eCW).
4. Must be able to maintain good inter-personal relationship with co-workers and other members of the health care team and the organization. 
5. Provide customer service, being courteous and respectful in all interactions, in accordance to the organization’s mission. 
6. Maintain patient confidentiality in accordance to organization’s policy, procedures and HIPAA requirements.
7. Knowledge of dental terminology, preventive oral health, referrals, and dental treatment processes preferred.
8. Knowledge of supportive initiatives to engage with individuals with neurodevelopment disabilities (NDD).
9. Strong communication, interpersonal skills, professionalism, and customer service with the ability to effectively engage with patients by telephone, electronically, and in person. Must be fluent in English, written and verbal. Bilingual in Spanish, preferred. 
10. Must be organized, ability to problem solve, and professionally and appropriately advocate for patients.
11. Ability to work independently, with little to no supervision, as well as a member of a team. Ability to work collaboratively with dental professionals, healthcare providers, individuals, families, and caregivers.

WORKING CONDITIONS

1. Work is primarily performed in an outpatient dental/healthcare, well-lit, often bright lighting environment with temperature control. Outreach events, including attending community and school events, may be required. 
2. Read, interpret, and sufficient visual ability to perform computer work, review patient information, printed materials, computer screens, and other business/patient related information. Prolonged exposure to computers and telephone, up to entire shift, is required.
3. Frequently required to use hands for keyboarding, handling documents, and performing other routine, repetitive work activities. 
4. Required to sit, up to entire shift, stand, escort patients/visitors around the clinic, and occasionally bend, reach, or stoop.
5. Must be able to occasionally lift and/or move up to ten (10) pounds.
6. Regular, daily interaction with patients, including patients with neurodevelopment disabilities, visitors, clinical staff, and other members of the healthcare team through in-person, phone, and electronic methods. 
7. Exposure to communicable diseases, bloodborne pathogens, bodily fluids, hazardous materials, and other environmental risks common in a healthcare setting. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and infection prevention protocols must be followed.