Lead Dentist / Dental Director

Are you an experienced dentist who enjoys leading teams, providing exceptional patient care, and making a meaningful impact in the community?

THE OPPORTUNITY
The Center for Oral Health is looking for a clinical leader who wants more than a chair. As Lead Dentist, you will run the Big Bear Lake clinic, caring for patients and managing the practice day to day. As Dental Director, you will set clinical standards for dental care across the organization and advise the CEO and Board on clinical strategy. Most of your time is spent with patients; the rest is spent shaping how COH delivers care.

WHY JOIN COH
A mission that matters. COH has worked since 1985 toward one vision: Oral Health for All, with particular focus on children and vulnerable populations across California.

Real leadership. Run your own clinic and shape clinical direction organization-wide, including school-based prevention programs.

Community impact. Provide high-quality care to an isolated mountain community that depends on it.

Mountain living. Live and work in Big Bear Lake, a year-round mountain community with a lake, trails, and ski slopes close by.

Strong benefits. Medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer-paid life insurance and short- and long-term disability; paid time off, sick leave, and holidays.

WHAT YOU WILL DO
Provide comprehensive general dentistry, including preventive, restorative, surgical, and emergency care, to a direct patient caseload.

Run the Big Bear Lake clinic, including staffing, scheduling, productivity, supplies, budget, and the patient experience.

Lead and develop the clinical team of dentists, hygienists, assistants, and support staff, including hiring, supervision, and performance reviews.

Keep the clinic compliant with the Dental Practice Act, Cal/OSHA, infection control, and HIPAA, and serve as point of contact for inspections and audits.

Support Medi-Cal Dental (Denti-Cal) documentation, billing accuracy, and claims resolution.

Set clinical standards by developing protocols and policies and providing clinical oversight across COH programs.

Lead clinical quality, including peer review, chart audits, and outcome measures.

Advise and represent COH by guiding the CEO and Board on clinical strategy, contributing to grants, research, and policy work, and representing COH with professional and community partners.

WHAT YOU BRING
Required
DDS or DMD from a CODA-accredited dental school
Active, unrestricted California dental license in good standing
Current DEA registration, or eligibility to obtain one before starting
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
At least five years of clinical practice as a licensed dentist
Leadership experience as a lead dentist, dental director, practice owner, clinical supervisor, or equivalent
Current professional liability insurance, or eligibility for coverage under COH’s policy
Preferred
Experience in a community health, nonprofit, or safety-net setting; serving children, low-income families, or other underserved patients; working knowledge of Medi-Cal Dental; dental practice management and EHR systems; budget or clinic operations experience; and bilingual English/Spanish.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
This is an on-site clinical role at approximately 6,750 feet elevation in a mountain community subject to winter weather. It involves extended periods of clinical work requiring fine motor control and close vision, with or without reasonable accommodation. Periodic travel between COH sites requires a valid California driver’s license. Employment is contingent on license verification, a post-offer background check, and required health screening and immunizations.

Pay: $165,000.00 - $175,000.00 per year
Benefits:
401(k)
Dental insurance
Health insurance
Paid time off
Retirement plan
Vision insurance
Work Location: In person