Dentist

THE POSITION

Join the Department of Corrections (DOC) as a Dentist at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Somerset and use your skills to help build a healthier future for inmates. This role gives you the chance to provide essential dental care in an environment that depends on your expertise, leadership, and steady judgment. Each day offers a new opportunity to improve patient well-being through strong clinical care and positive guidance. Step into a meaningful career where your dedication and professionalism create a lasting impact.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position provides dental care and supervises dental staff within the State Correctional Institution at Somerset. The role supports consistent, safe, and effective dental services for the inmate population. As a Dentist, you will perform the following duties:

Clinical Examinations: Perform periodontal exams, review medical histories, diagnose oral conditions, and plan treatments for inmates
Treatment Practices: Provide preventive and restorative dental procedures while maintaining infection control standards
Collaboration with Specialists: Consult with medical providers, oral surgeons, and specialists, and support onsite specialty care
Staff Leadership: Lead, train, and guide Dental Assistants and Dental Hygienists, and participate in hiring and performance input
Operational Review: Evaluate records, schedules, and documentation to ensure compliance and continuous improvement
Supply Oversight: Manage dental supplies, equipment inventory, and security controls

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

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

Graduation from an approved school of dentistry.
Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Special Requirement:
You must possess a license to practice dentistry issued by the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry.

Other Requirements:
Successful completion of basic training in Elizabethtown, PA is required.
PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirement:

You must pass a background investigation and meet Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) compliance requirements.

How to Apply:
Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

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.
Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video!

See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our benefits calculator.

Health & Wellness

We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*

Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.

Work/Life Balance
We know there’s more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*

Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.

Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little “extras” that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.

For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.

*Eligibility rules apply.

Corrections facility medical clinic • Patient treatment planning • Collaborate with healthcare professionals • Dentistry • Dental diagnosis • Dental office • Management • Paid parental leave • General dentistry • Weekends as needed • Internal mobility program • Dental License • Full-time • Mid-level • Diagnostic evaluation • Periodontics • Evenings as needed • Healthcare infection prevention and control expertise • Health insurance • Dental insurance • Hiring • Clinical staff training • Military leave • Paid time off • Continuous improvement • Clinical training • Patient care • Paid military leave • Parental leave • Experience working with incarcerated individuals • Dental treatment planning • Patient care leadership • Vision insurance • Monday to Friday • Patient treatment • Equipment inventory management • On call • Leadership • Flexible schedule • Residency requirement • Retirement plan • Staff development • Paid sick time