Lead Dentist

Company: Harbor Community Clinic
Location: San Pedro
Posted on: March 22, 2026

Job Description:

JOB SUMMARY The Lead Dentist is a key member of the oral health department and provides comprehensive and appropriate dental care and treatment to patients. He/she serves as a role model for the staff through the provision of excellence in oral health services and in keeping with the mission of the organization. Flexible scheduling, including potential administrative time, may be available with approval from the Dental Director and is based on performance and clinical needs. EXPECTATIONS - Adheres to all Harbor Community Health Center (HarborCHC) policies and procedures. - Observes all policies and procedures for the use of time-keeping system, including attendance, tardiness, proper clocking procedure, overtime authorization, and that employee nametag is visible. - Conducts self in a manner that represents HarborCHC’s core values at all times. - Maintains a positive and respectful attitude with all work-related contacts. - Provides excellent customer service. - Communicates regularly with his/her immediate supervisor about departmental and HarborCHC concerns. - Consistently reports to work prepared to perform the duties of the position. - Meets productivity standards and performs duties as workload necessitates. - Fosters an environment that promotes trust and cooperation among all staff. MISSION, VISION, AND VALUES - Our mission is to provide low cost, comprehensive high quality health care and supportive services to those in our community who do not have access to medical care. - Our vision is "Improving the Health and Well Being of our Community" - Our Core Values consist of Integrity, Compassion, Excellence, and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. - Employees must possess a strong commitment to the mission, policies, goals and philosophy of Harbor Community Clinic. ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES To perform the job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required: - Provide Routine and Emergency Dental Services: Demonstrate full scope of Dentistry, including experience with adult and pediatric patients, ages 0-21. Diagnose and treat dental conditions, develop comprehensive treatment plans, and perform both intra- and extra-oral examinations. Deliver general restorative procedures (e.g., composite and amalgam fillings), preventive care, crown and bridge construction, removable prosthetics, endodontic treatments, and oral surgeries. Initiate and interpret radiographs and laboratory studies. Work with an interdisciplinary team to deliver whole-person care. Stay abreast of new techniques, new equipment and be contemporary with the latest medical and dental discoveries. - Administer Anesthesia and Medications: Prescribe and administer anesthetics, medications, and treatment regimens as appropriate to meet patient needs - Initiate and interpret radiographs and laboratory studies. - Referral and Coordination: Refer patients to specialists or other healthcare providers for advanced care or specialized treatments when necessary. - Patient Education: Educate patients and their families on oral health, disease prevention, and proper dental hygiene practices. Communicate dental needs and treatment options with patients and their representatives in an objective, clear, and compassionate manner. - Supervision and Coordination of Dental Staff: Oversee and direct the activities of dental support staff to ensure effective delivery of patient care. Supervise Dental Auxiliary staff and provide guidance, mentorship, and support as needed. - Community Health Engagement: Actively participate in community health promotion, education, and disease prevention programs to promote oral health in the local community. - Staff Training and Development: Assist with in-service training and continuous professional development of dental department staff, enhancing skills, knowledge, and adherence to clinical protocols and best practices. - Student Training: Acts as an educator/preceptor for dental students, dental hygiene students, and dental assisting students who may rotate through HarborCHC dental office. - Compliance & Safety: Participate in safety, compliance, and quality improvement programs. Adhere to all federal, state, and local regulations and standards governing the delivery of care in a community health center environment, including infection control and prevention. - Patient Satisfaction: Foster a positive, compassionate, and welcoming environment for both patients and their families. Promote patient satisfaction by delivering high-quality care and addressing concerns in a professional and empathetic manner. Work with the Dental Director and Dental Office Manager to resolve patient complaints. - Mission Alignment: Support and contribute to HarborCHC’s mission and values through clinical practice, patient care, and team collaboration. - Additional Duties: Perform other duties as assigned by the Dental Director to help achieve organizational goals and objectives. QUALIFICATIONS - Required education, experience and/or training: Current California Dental and DEA licenses. - Demonstrated skill in diagnosing dental disease from the clinical exam and radiographic analysis. Demonstrated skill in developing an appropriate treatment plan. - Demonstrated knowledge and skill in performing restorative procedures safely under local anesthetic and nitrous oxide sedation. - Demonstrated skill in performing extractions. - Demonstrated skill in performing emergency palliative treatment including pulpotomies and pulpectomies. - Demonstrated skill in providing treatment of periodontal disease including but not limited to scaling and root planing. - Bilingual verbal skills in English and Spanish(preferred). - Proficiency in molar endodontic therapy and surgical extractions, preferred. - Ability to work with infectious disease patients. - Ability to accurately and efficiently enter patient data via Electronic Dental Record (EDR) and lock notes in a timely manner. - Ability to interact effectively with people of various socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. - Ability to deal with patient complaints with tact and diplomacy. - Ability to work with volunteers, dental students. Comply with HIPAA and Confidentiality Policies and Procedures as they apply to the job. Demonstrate full scope of Dentistry, including experience with adult and pediatric patients, ages 0-21. Ability to work late hours and/or weekends. Key Competencies: - Experience: 5 years of hands-on dentistry experience, with a proven ability to manage complex dental procedures independently, including oral surgery, molar endodontics, and advanced restorative treatments. - FQHC Experience: Work experience in a high volume Community Health Center (CHC) or Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) is strongly preferred. - Manage Patien

Keywords: Harbor Community Clinic, Gardena , Lead Dentist, Healthcare , San Pedro, California