Pediatric Dentist - FQHC

Location: Allentown, Pennsylvania
Department: Dental Services
Position Type: Full-Time
Reports To: Dental Director / Chief Dental Officer

Position Summary\n

The Pediatric Dentist provides comprehensive, high-quality dental care to infants, children, adolescents, and patients with special healthcare needs within a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) setting. This position is responsible for delivering preventive, restorative, and emergency dental services while promoting optimal oral health and establishing positive dental experiences for pediatric patients and their families.

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The Pediatric Dentist will work collaboratively with dental, medical, behavioral health, and other care team members to provide integrated, patient-centered care to a diverse and underserved population in the Allentown community.

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The ideal candidate is a compassionate, skilled pediatric dentist who is committed to improving access to care, reducing oral health disparities, and serving children and families regardless of their ability to pay.

Essential ResponsibilitiesClinical Care\n

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• Provide comprehensive pediatric dental examinations, diagnoses, treatment planning, and follow-up care.
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• Provide preventive, restorative, and emergency dental services appropriate for infants, children, adolescents, and patients with special healthcare needs.
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• Perform dental procedures within the scope of pediatric dentistry, including:\n
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  • Comprehensive and periodic oral examinations
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  • Radiographs and diagnostic procedures
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  • Preventive care, including fluoride treatments and sealants
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  • Restorative dentistry
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  • Pulp therapy
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  • Stainless steel crowns and other pediatric restorative procedures
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  • Extractions and minor surgical procedures within scope
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  • Space maintenance
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  • Management of dental trauma and dental emergencies
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  • Treatment of patients with developmental, behavioral, or medically complex needs
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• Provide appropriate behavior guidance and patient management techniques to facilitate safe and effective dental treatment.
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• Identify and appropriately manage dental infections, pain, trauma, and other urgent conditions.
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• Recognize oral manifestations of systemic disease and make appropriate medical or specialty referrals when indicated.
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• Determine when treatment under sedation or general anesthesia is appropriate and coordinate care with appropriate facilities and providers.
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• Provide appropriate referrals to oral surgery, orthodontics, endodontics, pediatric specialty services, medical providers, and other healthcare professionals when necessary.
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Patient and Family Education\n

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• Educate patients and parents/guardians regarding oral hygiene, nutrition, caries prevention, fluoride, sealants, and appropriate home care.
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• Counsel families regarding early childhood caries prevention and the importance of establishing a dental home at an early age.
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• Promote preventive care and regular dental visits.
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• Communicate treatment recommendations, risks, benefits, and alternatives in a manner that is understandable and culturally appropriate.
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• Develop positive, trusting relationships with pediatric patients and their families.
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FQHC / Community Health Responsibilities\n

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• Provide care consistent with the mission, policies, and clinical standards of the health center.
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• Demonstrate a commitment to serving medically underserved and culturally diverse populations.
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• Provide care without regard to a patient's ability to pay, insurance status, race, ethnicity, language, socioeconomic status, or other factors protected by law.
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• Participate in an integrated care model and collaborate with medical and behavioral health providers when appropriate.
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• Support care coordination for patients with complex medical, social, developmental, or behavioral needs.
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• Participate in community outreach, oral health education, and prevention initiatives as requested.
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• Promote health equity and work to reduce barriers to pediatric oral healthcare.
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Documentation and Quality\n

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• Maintain timely, accurate, and complete clinical documentation in the electronic health record.
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• Complete treatment plans, progress notes, referrals, prescriptions, and other required documentation in accordance with health center policies.
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• Comply with applicable FQHC, federal, state, and payer requirements.
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• Participate in quality improvement, clinical audits, peer review, and performance improvement activities.
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• Monitor and maintain appropriate clinical productivity and quality metrics.
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• Maintain compliance with infection prevention, OSHA, HIPAA, patient safety, and other applicable standards.
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• Participate in dental department meetings, staff meetings, case reviews, and organizational initiatives as appropriate.
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Professional Responsibilities\n

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• Maintain current knowledge of pediatric dental techniques, evidence-based practices, and advances in children's oral healthcare.
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• Maintain all required professional licenses, registrations, certifications, and continuing education.
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• Participate in continuing education activities consistent with organizational and professional requirements.
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• Serve as a positive role model for dental staff and contribute to a respectful, collaborative workplace.
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• May provide clinical supervision, consultation, or mentorship to dental residents, dental students, hygienists, assistants, or other clinical personnel, as applicable.
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• Perform other duties consistent with the position and organizational needs.
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QualificationsRequired\n

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• Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree from an accredited dental school.
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• Completion of an accredited Pediatric Dentistry residency program.
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• Current, unrestricted license to practice dentistry in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or eligibility to obtain Pennsylvania licensure.
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• Current DEA registration or eligibility to obtain one, as applicable to the position.
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• Current BLS/CPR certification.
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• Demonstrated clinical competency in pediatric dentistry.
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• Ability to obtain and maintain required payer, credentialing, and health center privileges.
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Preferred\n

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• Board certification or eligibility for certification by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (ABPD).
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• Experience working in an FQHC, community health center, public health, or other safety-net healthcare environment.
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• Experience caring for children with special healthcare needs.
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• Experience providing care to patients from diverse cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
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• Experience working within an integrated or interdisciplinary healthcare model.
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• Fluency in Spanish or another language commonly spoken in the community is highly desirable.
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Skills and Competencies\n

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• Strong pediatric clinical and diagnostic skills.
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• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
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• Ability to establish rapport with children and families.
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• Strong behavior management and patient engagement skills.
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• Commitment to preventive dentistry and evidence-based care.
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• Ability to work effectively with a multidisciplinary healthcare team.
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• Cultural sensitivity and demonstrated commitment to health equity.
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• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
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• Ability to manage a busy clinical schedule while maintaining quality and patient-centered care.
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• Professional judgment and ability to appropriately manage pediatric dental emergencies.
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• Commitment to continuous quality improvement and professional development.
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Work Environment\n

The Pediatric Dentist will primarily work in a clinical dental setting and may be required to sit, stand, walk, and perform clinical procedures for extended periods. The position requires the use of standard dental equipment and personal protective equipment and adherence to all applicable infection prevention and workplace safety requirements.

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The position may involve caring for patients with behavioral, developmental, medical, or physical limitations and requires the ability to safely provide treatment within the individual's scope of practice and the health center's capabilities.