Dentist - SCI Somerset

Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania; Somerset (Somerset County); On-site; USD 166,000 - 208,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of Corrections seeks a Dentist at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) Somerset to deliver high-quality dental care. The role emphasizes clinical autonomy, leadership, and work-life balance in a secure correctional setting.

You will supervise dental staff, perform comprehensive evaluations, and maintain clinic operations with a focus on safety and infection control. This position offers professional growth and meaningful service to inmates.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an approved school of dentistry.
• License to practice dentistry issued by the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry.
• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• Successful completion of basic training in Elizabethtown, PA is required.
• CJIS background check and compliance requirements are required.

Responsibilities

• Perform dental exams, review medical histories, diagnose conditions, and create treatment plans.
• Provide restorative and preventive dental care while ensuring infection control and safety.
• Lead and supervise dental assistants and dental hygienists and assist with hiring activities.
• Review schedules, documentation, grievances, referrals, and reports to ensure proper operations.
• Maintain supplies, manage equipment needs, and enforce safety procedures.
• Assess clinic practices, identify improvements, and prepare required reports.

Skills

Dental evaluation

Clinical treatment

Staff leadership

Record review

Inventory control

Quality improvement

Education

DDS or DMD degree

Job description

Salary

$166,143.00 - $208,236.00 Annually

Location

Somerset County, PA

Job Type

Civil Service Permanent Full-Time

Opening Date

09/08/2026

Closing Date

10/7/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Worksite Address

1590 Walters Mill Road, Somerset, Pennsylvania 15501

Contact

Contact Name: Corleen Schmucker

The Position

Do you want to apply your professional dental skills in a setting that values clinical autonomy and work-life balance as a Dentist with the Department of Corrections? This position offers meaningful clinical responsibilities along with leadership opportunities at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Somerset. You will work with dedicated staff and contribute to the well-being of inmates through quality dental care. The structure of this role helps you maintain stability, purpose, and personal time.

Description of Work

This position focuses on providing dental care, supervising dental staff, and maintaining safe and effective clinic operations within the correctional environment. Your work helps ensure that inmates receive proper treatment, accurate evaluations, and clear guidance on oral health. As a Dentist, you will perform the following duties:

• Dental Evaluation: Perform exams, review medical histories, diagnose conditions, and create treatment plans
• Clinical Treatment: Provide restorative and preventative care while maintaining infection control and safety
• Staff Leadership: Guide, train, and oversee dental assistants and dental hygienists and support hiring activities
• Record Review: Evaluate schedules, documentation, grievances, referrals, and reports to ensure proper operations
• Inventory Control: Maintain supplies, manage equipment needs, and enforce security and safety procedures
• Quality Improvement: Assess clinic practices, identify improvements, and prepare required reports

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information

• Full-time employment, 37.5 hours per week
• Work hours are 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch break. You will not be required to work evenings, weekends, or on-call duties.
• Eligible for full retirement benefits as early as age 55
• DEA License renewal and liability insurance is covered by the Commonwealth
• Up to 50 hours of additional paid leave for job-related continuing medical education
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: Competitive, with potential for yearly incentive payments in addition to your standard salary. (Quality Assurance Payments)
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

Required Experience, Training & Eligibility

• Graduation from an approved school of dentistry.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within three months of graduating with a qualifying degree.
• You must possess a license to practice dentistry issued by the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry.
• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• Successful completion of basic training in Elizabethtown, PA is required.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.
• You must pass a background investigation and meet Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) compliance requirements.

Veterans

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. *7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS)

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

Examination Information

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.