General Dentist

General Dentist Basic Function
To assist Saudi Aramco and Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare employees and their dependents to achieve and maintain good oral and general health; to provide adequate diagnosis and complete dental treatment planning and delivery to fulfil the health needs of the patients; to educate patients in good personal oral health care and to attempt to motivate patients to incorporate good oral health care practices in their daily routines.

Scope
As a healthcare professional, the General Dentist functions as assigned in the dental clinics of any Saudi Aramco and Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare community. Professionally, the general dentist functions independently, bearing responsibility for the oral health care of his/her patients. The general dentist provides clinical care of patients and frequently serves as a consultant in the fields where he/she is especially qualified. The general dentist scope in dental practice is very broad for he/she functions to some degree in all areas of general dentistry. The general dentist provides work direction to dental assistants and other ancillary staff members on a daily basis.

Principal Contacts

The general dentist’s principal contacts are with Saudi Aramco and Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare employees and dependents who seek his/her care on a daily basis.

Other contact is with the supervising dentists who provide administrative supervision and overall professional guidance; with other dentists and physicians on a consultancy basis; with dental therapists, assistants and laboratory personnel.

Frequent contact will be made with the Physician Manager, General Dentistry, Physician Manager of Specialty Care Services.

Occasionally, contact will be made with the Chief, DH Clinical Services Division, Director, DH Operational Services Division and the General Manager, Dental Services Department.

Principal Duties
The general dentist provides direct outpatient care in all areas of general dentistry in consultation with dental specialists, physicians and other health professionals as required for the best interest of the patient.

**Patient Examination and Evaluation**:
Examines clinically and radiographically the hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity and head and neck region.

Identifies and records developmental abnormalities, caries, fractures, root exposures, erosions, abrasions, and defective restorations of existing teeth. Records condition and existing pathology of the periodontium, temporomandibular joint and other soft tissues of the mouth.

Orders, exposes, and interprets intra and extra oral radiographs of the oral cavity.

Diagnoses existing pathology of the above mentioned areas utilizing other aids such as study casts, electric vitalometers, transilluminators, thermal aids, percussion and palpation. Triages appropriately utilizing input from specialty consult.

Interviews patient and records medical history. Refers patients for appropriate medical evaluation when indicated.

Plans a course of treatment based on the findings of the clinical and radiographic examination, the patient’s needs.

**Patient Education and Management**:
Ascertains the patient’s interest in dental health care and treatment expectation. Explains all aspects of dental disease, planned treatment, and cost.

Advises patients regarding personal oral hygiene practices and habits.

**Patient Treatment**:
Capable of functioning competently in all areas of general dentistry.

Prescribes and administers pre-medications to patients as indicated and utilizes local anesthetics for control of pain.

Adjusts occlusions as necessary to provide an acceptable pattern of contacts.

Treats and restores decayed and fractured teeth of adults and children under adequate isolation to remove decay, and shapes cavities to receive the restorative materials of choice.

Prepares teeth and soft tissues for the placement of fixed or removable prostheses to replace missing teeth or to regain stability through splinting when indicated. Makes accurate impressions and precise inter-occlusal records for the fabrication of dental prosthetics appliances.

Removes diseased or fractured teeth which are beyond repair. Performs other oral surgical procedures. Recognizes and treats or refers for treatment, diseases of the pulp and periodontal structures.

Provides emergency after hours dental services to hospital in-patient and emergency room referrals.

Recognizes, treats or refers for treatment oral pathology. Possesses a basic knowledge of general medicine.

**Professionalism**:
Demonstrates a strong commitment to the delivery of quality care, competently and timely, within the bounds of the clinical circumstances presented.

Participates in in-service training programs and continuing dental education to meet individual or department requirements.

Become certified in the cardio-pulmonary resuscitation technique with renewal every 2 years.

Experience

Three years in the practice of general dentis