Dental officers are licensed dental professionals who work in various institutions and government departments. In addition to providing dental services to patients, they also develop and implement preventative care programs. In some instances, they work in the armed forces. Typically, these positions require a doctorate in dentistry or dental medicine. However, some dental officers may also choose to work in nonclinical positions.
Whether a dentist chooses to be a chief dental officer or a practice director, they are responsible for guiding a dental practice’s efforts toward improving public health and ensuring the quality of dental care. In many cases, they are the go-to person for other dentists on the team. They also have administrative responsibilities, such as setting budgets and establishing educational and communication programs.
To apply for a position as a dental officer, you must be a US citizen. Additionally, you must hold a current, unrestricted dental license from your state. As a dental officer, you will be responsible for overseeing the health care of millions of patients, including children, pregnant women, and seniors.
In addition to clinical duties, dental officers must have experience overseeing a practice’s quality assurance processes. They must understand patient experience and customer needs, and communicate effectively to create a cohesive team. In addition, they must have strong leadership skills and be able to maintain confidentiality. They must also be capable of hiring and managing clinical staff.
A dental officer can serve in a number of positions, including those in the military. For example, Dr. Robertson served as the Division Officer of USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70) in the Pacific Ocean in support of Operation Southern Watch. He was also deployed to Iraq as a dentist with the 8th Medical Army Brigade.
Dental officers can receive a bonus of up to $300,000 if they have been on Active Duty for four years without a break in service. These bonuses are paid in four annual payments, and they will be available to dental officers who complete the Basic Officer Leadership Course and are assigned to their first duty station. However, the bonus cannot be awarded to individuals who hold a previous appointment as a Dental Corps officer.
