• Any editable section on the Exam Bulletin has been updated.

Effective July 31, 2025, in accordance with the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) was implemented. PLP 2025 requires each full-time employee in Bargaining Unit 16, and related Excluded, Exempt and Statutory Exempt employees, will have their base salary reduced by 4.62 percent and will receive 8 PLP 2025 leave credits monthly through November 2026. Salaries do not reflect the recent changes. Part-time employees are subject to the same conditions as full-time employees, on a prorated basis equivalent to their time-base. Permanent intermittent employees are subject to the same condition as full-time employees, based on the number of hours worked in the pay period. 

The information below will help you determine which classification(s) is(are) appropriate for you. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as stated on this bulletin to compete in this examination.

Open and Open, Non-Promotional Examination(s):

• DENTIST, CORRECTIONAL FACILITY - Open

For all Classifications, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 3 months:

Exam Code(s):

3669

Submit an Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) to apply for this examination.

Electronic applications can be submitted through your account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.

If you require assistance or alternative testing arrangements due to a disability, indicate on your application that you need reasonable accommodation. You will be contacted by a representative of the testing department to make the necessary arrangements. If you have not been contacted by the time you receive notification of testing, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

If you are unable to submit your application or complete the test due to a disability, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements as stated on this exam bulletin to be accepted to the examination.

Unless otherwise stated in the Minimum Qualifications, qualifying experience may be combined on a proportionate basis if the requirements stated below include more than one pattern and are distinguished as "Either" 1, "or" 2, "or" 3, etc. For example, applicants possessing qualifying experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 1 and additional experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 2 may be accepted to an examination as meeting 100% of the overall experience requirement.

Possession of the legal requirements for the practice of dentistry in California as determined by the California Board of Dental Examiners. (Applicants may be admitted to the examination prior to meeting these requirements, but the Board of Dental Examiners must determine that all legal requirements have been met before candidates will be eligible for appointment.)  And

Education:  Graduation from an approved dental school. (Registration as a senior in a recognized institution will admit applicants to the examination, but they must produce evidence of graduation or its equivalent before they can be considered eligible for appointment.)

Applicants possessing the required license/certificate at the time of application must show the number, title, and expiration date on their Examination Application (Std. Form 678).

Special Personal Characteristics: Empathetic understanding of patients of a State correctional facility; willingness to work in a State correctional facility; tact; patience; emotional stability; alertness; and keenness of observation.

Special Physical Characteristics: Persons appointed to this position must be reasonably expected to have and maintain sufficient strength, agility, and endurance to perform during stressful (physical, mental, and emotional) situations encountered on the job without compromising their health and well-being or that of their fellow employees or that of incarcerated patients.

Assignments may include sole responsibility for the supervision of incarcerated patients and/or the protection of personal and real property.

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) are committed to transforming the correctional landscape to create safer, more professional, and more fulfilling environments for our employees, the incarcerated population, and those supervised in our communities. Through systemwide improvements grounded in proven and emerging practices, we aim to strengthen rehabilitation, enhance workplace satisfaction, and support successful reentry into the community through our institutions, parole, and community partnerships. Our shared mission is to promote safety, wellness, and human dignity while fostering positive change for all those who live and work within our institutions and communities.

CDCR and CCHCS are committed to building an inclusive respectful workplace. We are determined to attract and hire candidates from all communities and empower employees from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and personal experiences. We are proud to foster inclusion and drive collaborative efforts at all levels of the Department.

Across our organization, our programs work cooperatively to provide the highest level of health care possible to a diverse correctional population. We encourage creativity and ingenuity while treating others fairly, honestly, and with respect, all of which are critical to the success of the CDCR and CCHCS mission. 

This examination consists of the following component(s):

A final score of 70% must be attained to be placed on the eligible list.

In addition to evaluating the applicant's relative knowledge, skill and ability as demonstrated by quality and breadth of education/experience, emphasis in each test component will be on measuring competitively, relative to job demands, each applicant's:

Knowledge of:

1. Modern methods and principles of general dentistry and dental surgery including its preventive aspects and skill in their application;
2. Oral hygiene and prevention and treatment of diseases of the mouth.

Ability to:

1. Prescribe and fit dental prostheses;
2. Analyze situations accurately and take effective action;
3. Maintain effective working relationships with health care professionals and others.

A Departmental Open eligible list for the DENTIST, CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Classification will be established for:

• California Correctional Health Care Services

The names of successful competitors will be merged onto the eligible list(s) in order of final score regardless of test date. Eligibility expires 12 months after it is established. Applicants must then retake the examination to reestablish eligibility.

Veterans' Preference will be granted for this examination. Veterans' Preference is an assistance program for veterans, veteran widows and widowers, and spouses of 100% disabled veterans who seek employment with the state. Veterans' Preference is also extended to currently serving military members nearing their retirement or separation date.

You are not eligible for Veteran's Preference if you are:

• A veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released.
• A veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran who currently has permanent civil service status. (Permanent civil service status is the status of an employee who is lawfully retained in his/her position after completion of the applicable probationary period. This does not include limited term).

Veterans' Preference is codified in Government Code Sections 18973 – 18979.

Veteran status is verified by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). Directions to apply for Veterans' Preference are on the Veterans' Preference Application (Std. Form 1093), which is available at www.CalCareers.ca.gov, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Career Credits are not granted for examination(s) administered on an Open basis or a Promotional basis.

It is important that you read the instructions and definitions carefully. This is not a timed process. Using the rating scales provided, you will be asked to rate your experience performing specific job-related tasks. You will be asked your knowledge related to performing the action, and then, your level of skill in performing the action. Respond to the statements by indicating how the statement applies to you. You are required to respond to every statement by marking one option for both of the two scales provided in order to receive credit for your response. You may refer to your WORK EXPERIENCE, whether paid or volunteer, your EDUCATION, and/or FORMAL TRAINING COURSES you have completed.

1. Provide oral examinations to identify, diagnose, and treat dental conditions/pathologies that impact the health and welfare of patients, using accepted standards in operative, endodontic, periodontic, oral surgery, and prosthodontic dentistry.
2. Use personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect self, staff, and patients from infectious diseases.
3. Treat patients using accepted standards in operative, endodontic, periodontic, oral surgery, and prosthodontic dentistry to correct dental conditions.
4. Perform operative dentistry to remove the progression of dental caries and pathology, restore function, and preserve oral and dental health.
5. Treat acute and/or chronic dental pain and oral infection to provide dental care, ensure oral health, and restore patients to normal functional oral health. 
6. Perform minor oral surgery/exodontia (e.g., simple, soft tissue impaction) using surgical instruments to correct and treat patient’s condition(s) to improve dental health.
7. Provide dental triage services in accordance with policies and procedures to provide dental care to patients.
8. Perform periodontal examinations to assess/diagnose periodontal conditions (e.g., pocket measurements, bleeding points, mobility, furcations) and disease(s).
9. Place direct restorations to preserve teeth and the integrity of the dental-oral cavity.
10. Review X-ray images to evaluate the health of teeth and/or hard tissues.
11. Review health records to be informed of patient’s condition(s) to appropriately diagnose and treat dental conditions.
12. Triage traumatic oral/dental injuries (e.g., tooth avulsion, fractures) to provide the proper dental care to patients.
13. Provide antibiotic prophylaxis to patients in accordance with established protocols.
14. Develop comprehensive dental treatment plans to address the totality of patient dental care needs.
15. Implement infection control policies and procedures (e.g., personal protective equipment, instrument sterilization, surface disinfection, barrier protectors, hand hygiene) to promote a safe and healthy environment for patients and personnel in accordance with laws, rules, and regulations.
16. Implement clinical decisions in an effective, safe, and timely manner to provide proper dental care.
17. Prescribe medications to treat oral diseases/infections and to alleviate pain.  
18. Order X-ray images to determine the health of teeth and/or hard tissues.  
19. Perform prosthetic dentistry to restore oral function (e.g., mastication, esthetics, phonetics).  
20. Document information (e.g., existing conditions, oral pathologies, treatments rendered) in patient’s health record to keep an accurate account of treatment provided.
21. Deliver and fit dental prostheses to restore the ability to masticate.  
22. Adhere to dental X-ray guidelines, mandates, and regulations.  
23. Document patient issues/concerns and dentist responses regarding dental health to maintain an accurate account.
24. Develop a sequential treatment plan for the fabrication and delivery of removable dental prostheses.
25. Perform prophylaxis and non-surgical periodontal therapy (e.g., scaling and root planning, preventive dental education, oral hygiene care instruction) to reduce the progression of periodontal disease and correct periodontal pathology.  
26. Provide post-operative treatment including examinations, medications, etc. to improve dental health.
27. Review dental treatment(s) rendered to patients to ensure appropriate management of the treatment plan.  
28. Document treatment(s) offered to patients; refused by patients; and requested by patients.
29. Provide full coverage restorations (e.g., stainless steel crowns) to restore teeth and maintain oral health.
30. Adjust dental prostheses to maintain the ability to masticate.
31. Administer and/or dispense medications to treat oral diseases/infections and to alleviate pain.
32. Oversee compliance with clinic infection control policies and procedures to ensure the health and well-being of self, staff, and patients in accordance with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
33. Clean teeth (e.g., remove calculus) to preserve the health of the teeth and the integrity of the dental-oral cavity.
34. Prepare various written documents for health care and administrative staff.   
35. Perform endodontics to retain and restore the dentition, and the overall dental health and well-being of patients.

• California Correctional Health Care Services

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice). TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Examination and/or Employment Application (STD 678) forms are available at the California Department of Human Resources, local offices of the Employment Development Department, and through your CalCareer Account (www.CalCareers.ca.gov).

If you meet the requirements stated on this examination bulletin, you may take this examination, which is competitive. Possession of the entrance requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination described in this bulletin will be rated against a predetermined job-related rating, and all applicants who pass will be ranked according to their scores.

California Correctional Health Care Services reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all applicants will be notified.

General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. In open examinations, investigation may be made of employment records and personal history and fingerprinting may be required.

Eligible Lists: Eligible lists established by competitive examination, regardless of date, must be used in the following order: 1) sub-divisional promotional, 2) departmental promotional, 3) multi-departmental promotional, 4) service-wide promotional, 5) departmental open, 6) open. When there are two lists of the same kind, the older must be used first. Eligible lists will expire in one to four years unless otherwise stated on the bulletin.

High School Equivalence: Equivalence to completion of the 12th grade may be demonstrated in any one of the following ways: 1) passing the General Education Development (GED) Test; 2) completion of 12 semester units of college-level work; 3) certification from the State Department of Education, a local school board, or high school authorities that the competitor is considered to have education equivalent to graduation from high school; or 4) for clerical and accounting classes, substitution of business college work in place of high school on a year-for-year basis.

Accepted applicants must provide proof of identification at each in-person test session. Acceptable identification consists of a photo identification card or two forms of signed identification.