Dental Director (Deputy Director 4 PN 20098798)
Job Description
Dental Director
About Us:
Our mission at the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is advancing the health and well-being of all Ohioans. Our agency is committed to building a modern, vibrant public health system that creates the conditions where all Ohioans flourish.
This position falls within the unclassified civil service status. Employees in the unclassified civil service of the state of Ohio serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority and may be removed from their unclassified position at any time for any legal reason.
What You'll Do:
Supporting Ohio Department of Health & Ohio Department of Medicaid, the Dental Director provides statewide leadership for oral health policy, programs, and strategy. This role advises agency leadership, ensures evidence‑based dental public health practices, and strengthens access to oral health services across Ohio.
Strategic Leadership & Policy Development
- Advise agency leadership on oral health strategy, mission, and long‑term direction.
- Assist in defining agency goals, objectives, and oral health priorities.
- Formulate statewide oral health policies and oversee their implementation.
- Communicate ODH’s position on oral health legislation and develop official statements or recommendations.
Clinical & Public Health Expertise
- Provide expert consultation to the ODH Medical Director’s Office to ensure evidence‑based dental public health practices.
- Develop standards of care for oral health programs and manage training, dissemination, and compliance monitoring.
- Oversee the state’s oral health surveillance system, analyzing data, trends, and research related to dental care delivery, workforce, epidemiology, and reimbursement.
Program Integration & Collaboration
- Integrate oral health practices into related ODH programs (e.g., Chronic Disease, Tobacco, HIV/Ryan White, Immunization, Preparedness).
- Work with local, state, and federal agencies; community-based programs; professional dental/public health organizations; and dental schools to advance oral health across the lifespan.
- Collaborate with dentists and strategic partners to expand dental care access for uninsured individuals.
- Seek state and national funding opportunities to support oral health initiatives.
Representation & Communication
- Represent the agency at state and national meetings and conferences.
- Serve on interagency task forces and committees (e.g., Ohio Dental Association, Ohio State Dental Board).
- Deliver speeches and presentations to professional groups, constituents, the media, and the public.
Work Locations:
- 246 N. High St., Columbus, OH
- 50 W. Town St., Columbus, OH
At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:
- Medical Coverage
- Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
- Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
- Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
- Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
- Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)
*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.
Position Qualifications:
Must have licensure to practice dentistry in Ohio as issued by Ohio State Dental Board pursuant to Section 4715 of OAC AND three years’ experience as a licensed dentist, or three years' experience in State Government overseeing a state program.
Technical Skills: Dental/Oral Health, Executive Leadership, Program Management
Professional Skills: Decision Making, Establishing Relationships, Strategic Thinking
Supplemental Information:
ALL ANSWERS TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS MUST BE SUPPORTED BY THE WORK EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION PROVIDED ON YOUR CIVIL SERVICE APPLICATION.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES:
All applicants must submit a completed Ohio Civil Service Application using the TALEO System. Paper applications will not be considered. Applicants must clearly indicate how they meet the minimum qualifications and/or position specific minimum qualifications. Applicants are also encouraged to document any experience, education and/or training related to the job duties above. An assessment of these criteria may be conducted to determine the applicants who are interviewed.
STATUS OF POSTED POSITION:
You can check the status of your application online by signing into your profile. Jobs you applied for will be listed. The application status is shown to the right of the position title and application submission details.
BACKGROUND CHECK NOTICE:
The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.
All final applicants tentatively selected for this class will be required to submit to urinalysis to test for illegal drug use prior to appointments. An applicant with a positive test shall not be offered employment.
Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.
The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.