Dentist Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established May 1, 1976

Scope

This specification describes three levels of Dentists in the California state service. Incumbents perform and/or supervise professional dental care; make oral examinations and provide dental prophylaxis; clean and fill teeth, perform dental operations; treat mouth diseases and instruct patients in oral hygiene; prescribe and fit dentures; prepare and keep clinical records and make reports.

Definition of Levels

Dentist

This is the entry and journeyperson level class, and is used for recruiting recent graduates. Incumbents in Range A, under supervision, are assigned to learn public health dental care. Incumbents in Ranges B, C, or D are experienced dentists. They may either do general dentistry or perform an assigned phase of dental treatment such as extractions or restorations. A Dentist, Range B, C, or D, may perform all the dental services in a small institution, or serve as a dentist with a small dental staff, and be in charge of the dental services of the facility.

Dentist, Departments of Mental Health and Developmental Services

This is the entry and journeyperson level class, and is used for recruiting recent graduates. Incumbents in Range A, under supervision, may be assigned to learn public health dental care in the Departments of Mental Health or Developmental Services. Incumbents in Ranges B, C, or D are experienced dentists. They may either do general dentistry or perform an assigned phase of dental treatment such as extractions or restorations. A Dentist, Range B, C, or D, may perform all the dental services in a small institution, or serve as a dentist with a small dental staff, and be in charge of the dental services of the facility.

Chief Dentist

This level is a working supervisor with responsibility for planning, organizing, and directing the dental program of a State institution. Positions of Chief Dentist occur in institutions in which there is a relatively large staff of professional and ancillary dental personnel.

Minimum Qualifications

All Levels:

Possession of the legal requirements for the practice of dentistry in California as determined by the California Board of Dental Examiners. (Applicants may be admitted to the examination prior to meeting these requirements, but the Board of Dental Examiners must determine that all legal requirements have been met before candidates will be eligible for appointment.)

Dentist

Dentist, Departments of Mental Health and Developmental Services

Education: Graduation from an approved dental school or registration as a senior.

Chief Dentist

Either I

Three years of professional dental experience in a California state institution.

Or II

Experience: Four years of experience in the practice of dentistry including one year of dental experience on the staff of a hospital or clinic or in the armed services.

Knowledge and Abilities

All Levels:

Knowledge of: Modern methods and principles of general dentistry and dental surgery including its preventive aspects and skill in their application; oral hygiene and prevention and treatment of diseases of the mouth.

Ability to: Prescribe and fit dentures; analyze situations accurately and take effective action.

Chief Dentist

Knowledge of: In addition to the above, principles and priorities of personnel management and effective supervision.

Ability to: In addition to the above, apply modern methods and principles of general dentistry and dental surgery including its preventive aspects; plan, organize, and direct the work of a group of professional and ancillary dental personnel; estimate future requirements for dental equipment and supplies; coordinate the dental program with other institutional programs; keep records and prepare reports.

Special Personal Requirements

All Levels:

Sympathetic and objective understanding of the problems of mentally and physically handicapped persons and other institution inmates; tact; patience; and emotional stability.

Drug Testing Requirement

Dentist, Departments of Mental Health and Developmental Services

Applicants for positions in this class are required to pass a drug screening test. Testing of current employees who are applicants in an examination or who are transferring is permitted only if the person does not have a current appointment to a class for which drug testing is a requirement.

Class History