Manager, Dental Services

Position Summary:

Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health is dedicated to promoting and protecting the health of individuals and communities in Wellington County Dufferin County and the City of Guelph. With a vision of health and well-being for all we strive to address the diverse health needs of our population through innovative programs and initiatives upstream interventions and collaborative partnerships. From immunization campaigns to disease surveillance and community health promotion our team of dedicated professionals works to ensure the well-being of everyone in our communities.

As a workplace WDG Public Health offers a dynamic environment where passion for public health meets professional excellence. Employees have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the health outcomes of our communities while enjoying a supportive and inclusive work culture. With ongoing opportunities for professional development a commitment to work-life balance competitive compensation and benefits and a strong sense of community within our organization WDG Public Health is not only a great place to work but also a rewarding place to grow and thrive in your career.

Read our 2024-2028 Strategic Plan on our Careers homepage for more about our vision mission values goals and priorities.

If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to use your knowledge and skills to make a difference in the health of our communities we invite you to apply.

We offer a competitive compensation package including:
Employer paid benefits including extended health and dental;
Defined benefit OMERS Pension Plan with 100% employer matching;
Paid sick time Short-Term Disability Plan and Long-Term Disability Plan;
EAP wellness program for individuals and family;
Employer paid parking;
35-hour work week;
Many opportunities for growth and development including employer paid courses to obtain
certifications;
We value work-life balance as such we pride ourselves on our generous vacation allowance and employee time off.

Knowledge and Scope of Position:
Provides direction leadership overall administrative support and supervision of programs and staff assigned to Dental Health programs including Oral Health Services Healthy Smiles Ontario and Ontario Seniors Dental.
Applies their professional knowledge and experience to a diverse portfolio. The focus of this portfolio is primarily on the service/program components in the Healthy Growth & Development and School Health Standards. It may also include some health promotion projects that span the Agency.
Demonstrates a sound knowledge and understanding of a population health approach and health promotion principles and strategies.
Demonstrates strong project management and change management skills. The manager must be highly organized and capable of executing on a vision for a new program area.
Demonstrates an in-depth ability to develop and implement large scale public health programs and services.
Demonstrates sound knowledge understanding and experience in overseeing clinical functions by a multidisciplinary team in multiple settings.
Demonstrates ability to develop negotiate and maintain collaborative working relationships with professional and non-professional groups.
Leads and supports the planning development implementation management and evaluation of programs assigned in accordance with the Ontario Public Health Standards (OPHS)
Responsible for all aspects of performance management of the staff and contract professionals who deliver the programs. Activities include records management responding to requests for information ensuring privacy and security obligations are met and staff training and supervision.
Ensures program practice frameworks are based on current best or promising practice as well as protocols and guidelines outlined in the OPHS. Knowledgeable about practice related legislations for relevant professional staff including College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario Ontario Dental Assistants Association the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario and College of Nurses of Ontario.
Works collaboratively with other managers and staff to support the work of the Agency.

Program Planning and Development:
Develops monitors and evaluates programs and services.
Demonstrates critical and strategic thinking; the ability to develop/link multi-year plans with local evidence base and knowledge of regional and provincial directions related to program area within allocated resources.
Demonstrates the ability to use creative and innovative strategies to support the work of the Healthy Growth & Development and School Health Standards.
Develops annual operational plans work plans and budgets in consultation with assigned program staff and the director.

Leadership:
Provides direction and leadership in integrating the Foundational Standards within Community Health programs and services ensuring that program decisions are based on evidence best or promising practice.
Manages and provides leadership to the team as they plan implement and evaluate assigned programs and services. Responsible for the day-to-day activities related to assigned program areas.
Responsible for all attendance management. Manages and approves vacation time use of flex time and compensating time leaves and other absences for assigned staff in accordance with the Agencys policy and Collective Agreement.
Monitors and evaluates the performance of assigned staff through ongoing supervision and formal performance appraisals. Identifies and plans for staffing levels and competencies to meet program needs within allocated resources. Reviews job descriptions for the selection of staff; participates in the recruitment of qualified individuals for hiring as required.
Provides on-call coverage per Agency guidelines.

Assessment and Analysis:
Develops annual operational plans in consultation with assigned program staff other managers and the division director. Establishes program goals performance measures and outcome indicators; ensures mandates are met.
Monitors and analyses the assigned program budget consulting with their division director and the Agency finance staff as appropriate. Participates in the development and implementation of strategies to operate within the approved budget. Authorizes expenditures and approves invoices for program level spending in accordance with Agency policy for managers.
Identifies information needs that are to be used to document and analyze program activities.
Develops grant proposals as appropriate.

Partnerships Collaboration:
Liaises with external agencies and participates in working groups with various community partners regarding issues relating to public health programs and services. Establishes and maintains collaborative working relationships with community partners.
Identifies and prioritizes the need for new community-based programs and services works with staff and community agencies to implement identified strategies.
Participates in implementing and evaluating an emergency response plan.

Communication:
Establishes and maintains effective interpersonal relationships with managers staff members of other organizations and with the general public.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Establishes and maintains open communication with the staff and director on relevant issues and exceptional or precedent-setting program issues.

Diversity and Inclusiveness:
Promotes the attitudes and practices that result in inclusive behaviours practices programs and policies. Oversees and ensures staff is familiar with and trained in all aspects of their work through education programs orientation workshops staff meetings in-service training sessions performance evaluation individual counselling and by authorizing attendance at outside education conferences and seminars.

Policy and Program Implementation:
Ensures that staff functions in accordance with relevant legislation established Agency policies procedures and guidelines. Abides by all employment legislation. Adheres to the Collective Agreement for union-represented employees within their program.
Ensures that client records are maintained according to established Agency policies and procedures and meet Privacy and the professional standards.

Ethics and Professionalism:
Ensures that all related practices within the program meet recognized professional standards (e.g. standards of practice for the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario Ontario Dental Assistants Association the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario College of Nurses of Ontario and the Regulated Health Professions Act).

Hours of Work:

Monday to Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM.
This position provides on-call coverage.

Position Effective:

April 13 2026

Requirements:

Masters degree in Health Business Administration Public Administration or related discipline.
Current registration as a regulated healthcare provider required.
Certification in Infection Control (CIC) preferred.
Registered nurse preferred.
Minimum of 5 years of experience in job specialty.
2 years of management experience.
2 to 4 years experience in program planning and evaluation project management human resources related issues/direct staff supervision preferred.


Special Skills and Training:
Experience in providing clinical supervision to a variety of health care professionals;
Clinical expertise in the area of Oral Health an asset;
Critical thinking ability to analyze and interpret information;
Communication skills presentation skills;
Conflict management and negotiation skills;
Knowledge of digital transformation and AI-driven innovations with experience leveraging digital tools and emerging AI solutions to enhance public health strategy improve program outcomes and drive operational efficiency;
Ability to build consensus and function in a team environment;
Adaptable to change and able to manage change while providing direction in contexts of uncertainty;
Strong knowledge of finance and administration functions;
Knowledge of program and workplace legislative requirements;
Knowledge of the following: normal child growth and development; healthy aging; behavior change; impact of social determinants of health including mental health and mental illness; substance abuse and trauma on health outcomes; data management; population health strategies; health promotion strategic and operational planning;
Project management and change management experience;
Knowledge of program and workplace legislative requirements.

We thank all applicants however only individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.

WDG Public Health is committed to providing accommodation during the recruitment process for people in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code. If you require accommodation(s) please advise Human Resources in advance and we will work with you to meet your needs. The organization will maintain the confidentiality of information related to an accommodation request and will only disclose this information with the consent of the employee or applicant.

WDG Public Health is an equal opportunity Agency. Personal information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and will be used to determine eligibility.

If successful in the hiring process it is important to understand that you would be an employee of a health care organization that strongly believes in the importance of immunizations as a necessary public health measure to control the spread of infectious diseases. Subject to any duty to accommodate under the Human Rights Code of Ontario successful applicants will be required to comply with the Agencys Immunization Policy. This policy is available upon request. Applicants who are unable to be immunized due to a valid medical contraindication must have a Statement of Medical Exemption Form completed by their primary care provider.