Registered Dental Hygienist

Job Description

Registered Dental Hygienist

SUMMARY

Provide quality dental care and associated services to patients under the general (direct or indirect) supervision of a dentist and using established dental hygiene procedures. Assist other staff in a variety of patient care, office, and laboratory duties. Perform broad responsibilities for clinic and community dental health education activities.

PRIMARY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Achieve Results
  • Improve the oral health of patients through the delivery of periodontal therapies and other dental hygiene-related services.
  • Enhance the efficiency of the clinic by performing expanded duties as allowable by law and as directed by the dentist.
  • Ensure all patients enjoy a positive experience, and are treated with care and compassion.
  • Ensure all patient records and related documentation are managed and maintained timely, accurately, and consistent with all HIPAA and related regulations and requirements.
• Operational Excellence
  • Ensure all tasks provided and associated with patient care, patient administrative processes, and related duties comply with all regulatory and accreditation standards, as well as clinic policies and procedures.
  • Ensure direct patient care is delivered using established dental hygiene procedures.
• Relationships
  • Develop favorable relationships with all patients. Interact positively with patients to provide information and education about oral hygiene, handle and resolve patient concerns with enthusiasm and empathy.
  • Establish favorable working relationships with all staff members associated with clinic operations, including Patient Services Reps (PSR), dental assistants, dentists, and related staff.
• Stewardship and Professionalism
  • Uphold and consistently represent the values and mission of the organization at all times. Represent the organization in a highly professional manner at all times.
  • Ensure compliance and attention to all corporate policies and procedures.
  • Complete continuing education as necessary to retain state license.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide direct patient care and dental services as trained, licensed, and assigned. Assess dental condition and needs of patient using approved patient screening procedures, including medical history review, dental charting, and periodontal charting.
• Evaluate overall oral health, examining oral cavity for signs of periodontal disease or possible cancers, including recessed & bleeding gums, and oral lesions.
• Expose, process and mount radiograph films.
• Document dental history or chief complaint; record and report pertinent observations and patient reactions to dentists, as appropriate.
• Document lab procedures and ensure follow up on results.
• Follow through with oral hygiene procedures in accordance with treatment plans prescribed by the attending dentist. Procedures may include: Prophylaxis, periodontal scaling, root planning, debridement, supra and subgingival scaling and curettage, application of fluoride treatments, and application of protective sealants.
• Assist with / initiate emergency measures for sudden adverse developments during patient treatment
• Conduct dental health clinics for community groups to augment services of dentists.
• Help patients feel comfortable before, during and after dental treatment.
• Educate patients in oral hygiene and dental care, including proper tooth brushing, flossing, nutrition and need for professional care.
• Demonstrate commitment to the mission of the organization in promoting dental health.
• Interact positively with a diverse, sometimes difficult, and demanding patient population. Provide service in a manner that is appropriate for the patient’s age; demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to meet the patient’s physical, psychosocial, educational, and safety needs.
• Read, write, and maintain patient records and related administrative documentation.
• Utilize the requisite tools, systems, technology and equipment in the collection of patient data, records management and collections.
• Significant knowledge of dental practices and procedures. Represent Dental Dept. on various committees
• Demonstrated success and experience with direct patient services and the proper knowledge and use of dental devices and equipment.
• Integrates appropriate patient dental hygiene care with other health care professionals involved in the patient’s health care management.
• Organizes and performs preventive oral health care and presentations at on-site or off-site locations. Travels to meet operational needs.
• As directed performs other related or necessary tasks to achieve organizational and programmatic goals including share schedules, accommodating patients who arrive late, triage emergency patients, UDS sealant measure, 2700 visits per 1 FTE, etc.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of dentistry procedures, clinic infection control procedures, exposure control, safety issues, cleaning and sterilization of instruments, tray setup and materials.
• Demonstrate knowledge of established oral hygiene concepts and periodontal therapies.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Employee is required to be free and clear of signs and symptoms or evidence of communicable diseases that could be expected to be transmitted during the course of normal scheduled work activity at medical, dental, and behavioral health center
• Receipt of completed Employee Health Certification required biannually including specific immunizations and appropriate frequency as determined by Regulatory Agencies confirming employee has been found to be in adequate mental and physical health and capable of performing the position title

Skills and Experience

• A commitment to preventive dental care
• Demonstrate success with clear thinking and ability to reorganize as needed.
• Demonstrate success in working independently, prioritization and problem solving.
• Demonstrate success in organization abilities.
• Demonstrate success in computer skills including ability to use computer for tasking, document dental records, and digital x-rays.
• Demonstrate success in customer service/patient services or working with the general public.
• Demonstrate success in managing difficult customer/patient situations
• Effective oral and written communication skills in English are required.
• Bi-lingual English / Spanish strongly preferred

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Requires medium to high manual dexterity and fine motor coordination, good vision, physical mobility and flexibility; good reflexes.
• Must possess sight and hearing senses or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately so that the requirements of this position can be fully met.
• Moderate physical activity; requires standing and/or walking throughout the day. Must be able to push and pull; light lifting required.
• In this position, one may be exposed to communicable diseases and biohazards.
• May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of patients during emergency situations.
• Requires manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, multi-line telephone, copier, fax server, document scanner, and other such office equipment as necessary
• Requires ability to work in a stressful dental office environment where interaction with others is constant and interruptive
• May be exposed to patients who have low impulse control, and angry temper outbursts requiring safety precautions and measures
• Work is normally performed in a typical dental office work environment
• The work environment involves the normal risks and discomforts typical of a community health center

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $60,000 – $90,000 per year