DENTIST (State)
In the unclassified service, Dentist is appointed rather than examined for, and its pay is often negotiated case by case.
Eligibility comes down to 1 year of relevant experience. The FY 2027 range lands between $139,326 and $206,442, and state payroll currently lists 5 people in the title, most of them at Health and Senior Services.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
See every real route in, and where to apply. 2 agencies employ it. We don't track live vacancies.
See all 2 employers and how to apply →Why this title is unclassified
This specification cites N.J.S.A. 11A: 3-5, political subdivision unclassified service..
A title in the political subdivision unclassified service sits outside Title 11A unless a provision says otherwise. In practice that means no competitive examination to get the job, and none of the career service protections that come with it: no permanent status after a working test period, and no right of appeal to the Civil Service Commission from a removal. Appointment and removal rest with the appointing authority.
The rule that allocates a title to this service is N.J.A.C. 4A:3-1.3.
Who employs this title
Dentist appears on the State payroll at 2 departments, most of them at Department of Health.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Health | 4 |
| Department of Human Services | 1 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 5 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $192,976. The agencies employing the most are:
- Health and Senior Services (4)
- Human Services (1)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under direction of the superintendent or other supervisory official in a state department, institution or agency, is responsible for the efficient, up-to-date clinical and administrative function of a dental service, supervises staff and work activities; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does related duties as required.
Examples of work
- Plans, directs, and coordinates the policies and procedures of the dental service.
- Organizes, trains, and supervises personnel related to the dental service.
- Instructs personnel related to the dental service in the proper conduct and relationship toward patients and supervises the general welfare of patients undergoing treatment in the dental service.
- Accomplishes dentistry under general anesthesia depending on individual circumstances and qualifications. Consults with the medical staff in cases showing oral manifestations of medical conditions.
- Is available for consultation by the medical staff in cases of oral pathology and other related conditions of common interest.
- Arranges program and treatment for patients experiencing oral trauma, oral pain, oral infection, and other oral pathology.
- Conducts a program of preventive dentistry, dental education, and oral hygiene.
- Diagnoses and treats diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth, gingiva, mucosa, and related oral structures with reasonable patient acceptable sensitivity.
- Cleans, restores, extracts, and replaces teeth using rotary and hand instruments, dental appliances, medications, and surgical instruments.
- Administers local anesthesia and other supportive medication.
- Serves on call, administratively and clinically, and handles dental emergencies.
- Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and or disciplining of employees.
- Remains current in the field of dentistry on a level applicable to the title.
- Establishes quality and quantity review for all dental personnel.
- Keeps such records and reports as are necessary for the discharge and control of the clinical and administrative activities of the dental department, makes regular reports, and conducts correspondence.
- Develops programs and prepares budget and requisitions, supplies, and equipment.
- Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information system used by the agency, office, or related units.
Experience
Licensed to practice dentistry in the State of New Jersey and one (1) year of approved dental internship plus one (1) year of additional experience or three (3) years of experience for those not having completed a dental internship. Demonstrated clinical and administrative effectiveness at a supervisory level including training, experience, and competency in the administration of pharmacological and/or gaseous analgesia. There must be demonstrated ability to successfully handle a broad segment of dental problems with minimal supervision.
License
Current license from the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of modern dental practices and procedures to include up- to-date methods of preventive dentistry, oral hygiene, and oral surgery.
- Knowledge of oral pathology and dental treatment practices and procedures.
- Knowledge of various complex dental illnesses, diseases, and malformations.
- Knowledge of how to use and maintain dental instruments and equipment.
- Knowledge of preventative dentistry.
- Knowledge of current dental, procedures, diagnostic techniques, theories, principals, and practices.
- Knowledge of administrative dental policies and procedures.
- Ability to function as a dentist and oral surgeon in a community hospital setting.
- Ability to successfully handle complex, compound, and advanced general dental pathology.
- Ability to organize and train personnel.
- Ability to use dental appliances, surgical equipment, hand equipment, rotary instruments, and medications.
- Ability to administer local anesthesia and other supportive dental medication.
- Ability to prepare budgets and requisitions for supplies and equipment.
- Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit.
- Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
- Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
- Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The definition and examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.