Dental Director

Northern Valley Indian Health; Chico (CA); On-site; USD 250,000 - 295,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life and AD&D Insurance

Continuing Education

14 Paid Holidays

Flex Schedule (9/80)

4 weeks PTO

Work life balance

Job summary

Northern Valley Indian Health seeks a Dental Director to lead dental operations across multiple sites, directing administrative and clinical functions while practicing dentistry up to 16 hours weekly. You will ensure consistent, efficient services, manage risk, and collaborate with senior leadership to advance the agency’s mission and patient care commitments.

This role demands at least five years in practice with two in administration, a valid DEA registration, and strong leadership and policy

Qualifications

• Five (5) years in private or clinical practice, at least 2 years in dental administration or leadership.
• Current DEA Controlled Substance registration.
• Knowledge of business computer applications and EHR systems.
• Knowledge of applicable laws and regulations in dental field.
• Strong report writing and leadership skills.
• Ability to lead and mentor staff and work with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Oversee dental care team to ensure quality patient care and scheduling.
• Maintain staffing levels with recruiting and retention efforts.
• Communicate with staff on topics affecting patient care.
• Review and update dental policies; align with risk strategy and mission.
• Strategize with CMO and leadership on department value and agency objectives.
• Provide oversight of clinical performance and quality with cross-department collaboration.
• Assure OSHA, infection control, HIPAA, and privacy compliance.
• Prepare budget and performance reports; support grants and audits.
• Keep CMO informed of dental department activities and policy changes.
• Develop training to advance staff skills; oversee peer review and quality standards.
• Engage with Native American community and respond to community needs.
• Annual review of policies; implement preventive dental activities and case consultations.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Dental Administration

DEA registration

EHR systems

Leadership

Report writing

Tools

EHR systems

Job description

At Northern Valley Indian Health, our message has always been clear. YourHealth Is Our Mission.

At NVIH we have a culture based around prioritizing the health andwell-being of not just our patients and community members but ouremployees as well. From comprehensive insurance coverage, extensive paidtime off, and numerous supplemental benefits, NVIH has consistentlyshown employees how we value their personal and professional well-being.We are a growing organization but will always remain firm in ourcommitment to employee health and well-being. If you are ready to be apart of our mission, we encourage you to . We understand thatchoosing your next employer is an important decision and you may needmore information; if so please give our recruiting team a call at (530)-433-2600 (extension 1100).

• Job Level : Any
• Level of Education :
• Job Type : Full-Time/Regular
• Date Updated : 07/23/2026
• Years of Experience : 2 - 5 Years
• Starting Date : Invalid Date
• Site : Chico
• Salary : $250,000.00 USD Annually - $295,000.00 USD Annually

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY: Under general supervision from the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and as a practicing dentist (up to 16 hours of patient care per week), the Dental Director is responsible for supporting strategy for Dental Operations with planning, developing, organizing, implementing, evaluating and directing the administrative and clinical functions of the dental services and programs of the organization. The Dental Director has ultimate responsibility to ensure Dental services are consistent and efficient across the multiple sites. In addition, the Dental Director serves as a strategic member of the Management Team, supporting the agency with managing risk and collaborating with other leaders.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list, but rather to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) will be required to perform a variety of duties listed, including but not limited to:

• Overall responsibility to ensure the NVIH clinical dental care team is providing excellence in health care by monitoring quality of patient care and collaborating with Operations Leadership teams in patient scheduling.
• Ensures staffing levels are maintained with established guidelines by working with recruiting to attract and retain talent
• Actively engage clinical dental staff to communicate a variety of topics relevant to the target audience which impact patient care.
• Review and update Dental policies and procedures to ensure practices and NVIH policy are updated and relevant to NVIH risk strategy, mission, and patient care commitments.
• Strategize with CMO and other senior leadership members to add value with how the Dental Department contributes to the overall agency objectives.
• Provide oversight to dental providers with monitoring clinical performance and quality and collaborates with CMO, Human Resources, Legal, Fiscal and Compliance on areas of concern.
• Ensure compliance to current OSHA regulations, Infection Control standards, and safety and hazard procedures as well as HIPAA and other privacy laws.
• Confer with CMO and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to submit budget and statistical reports used to justify expenditures for equipment, supplies, and personnel, and also works with the CMO and CEO with grants, audits, and any other matter that would affect funding for dental clinics.
• Keep the CMO abreast of current activities and situations within the dental departments.
• Confer with the CMO to formulate dental policies and recommend procedural changes. Implement policy from the CMO.
• Responsible for ensuring peer review and quality standards are met through implementing and coordinating the peer review program for dental services provided by NVIH
• Maintain good rapport with the Native American community and stay abreast of community needs.
• Annual review and update of Dental Procedures and Policy Manual to ensure policies and procedures are relevant to current business needs and are consistently enforced across the agency.
• Develop and implement preventive dental activities for the community.
• Engage case consultations as needed with other dental providers and clinicians.
• Establish training program to advance knowledge and clinical skill levels of dental staff as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Experience and Skills

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

The following knowledge, skills, and abilities are required for an employee to successfully perform their duties.

• At least five (5) years’ experience in private practice or clinical practice. At least (2) years in Dental Administration or leadership role.
• Current DEA Controlled Substance registration.
• Knowledge of business computer user applications and EHR systems
• Knowledge of applicable laws and regulations of the dental field
• Skill in preparing clear, concise and complete reports and other written materials.
• Leadership skills with the ability to motive, inspire, coach, counsel and ensure team effectiveness
• Skill in establishing and maintaining positive and effective working relationships with department directors and others contacted in the course of work.
• Ability to apply skills and knowledge to provide relevant solutions and feedback to CMO and other colleagues for the betterment and advancement of the Agency, patients, and employees.
• Ability to engage in a culturally sensitive manner to Native American patients as it pertains to their culture and health needs.
• Demonstrates collaborative Teamwork in a Respectful manner with various levels within the organization as well as externally.
• Reliable Transportation and ability to adhere to regular attendance.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to adjust communication style appropriate for the target audience, from executive level team, clinical staff and to the layperson
• Ability to think critically and provide relevant, realistic solutions to complex business problems.

Native Preference. Preference in filling vacancies will be given to qualified Native candidates, in accordance with Native Preference in hiring practices. In other than the above, Northern Valley Indian Health is an Equal Opportunity and At Will Employer.

NVIH provides a robust group health insurance package with low-cost premium responsibilities.

• Group Health Insurance through Blue Shield of California (two plans; one offering an HSA)
• Vision Insurance
• Company paid employee Life and AD&D Insurance
• Voluntary Life and AD&D for employee, spouse, and children
• Continuing Education with time off
• License and DEA fee reimbursement/waiver
• 14 Paid Holidays
• Flex Schedule (9/80)
• Generous PTO (accrues at a rate of 4wks per year for new full time employees)
• Work life balance (no after hours work; schedule Mon-Fri 8-5pm)

Northern Valley Indian Health (NVIH), under the Indian Preference Act (Title 25, U.S. Code Sections 472 & 473), provides preference in filling vacancies to Native American applicants. In other than the preceding, NVIH provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national original, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran in accordance with applicable federal laws. In addition, NVIH prohibits discrimination on the basis of creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or presence of a physical, mental, or sensory disability, in accordance with applicable state and local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.