Dental Hygienist

Job Description

Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION OF ACCOUNTABILITY: Dental Hygienist                                                                            

Reports To: Doctor regarding clinical policies, Office Manager regarding office policies

Status: Non-exempt, Regular, “At-will” Work Status, Full-time

Experience and Education: Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree from an ADA accredited dental hygiene program, current Nebraska Dental Hygiene license.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Exemplify the company’s core values:

  • We put others before self

  • We build trusting relationships

  • We are proactive and growing

  • We have passion for our purpose

  • We are grateful

• Critical functions 

  • Orchestrate the clinical exam

  • Provide patient education

  • Build treatment plans

  • Foster patient relationships

• Scorecard Items

  • Production Per Hour

  • Reschedule Rate

Level 1

• Provide a warm welcome to patients, give a tour of the office to a new patient  and show them to the operatory.

• Speak to people, not about them.

• Presents in a clean, well-groomed, and professional manner.

• Follow the Accountability Chart to avoid the pitfalls of a “bypass”.

• Urgent matters involving direct patient care should be handled immediately and in person. 

• Emails with a relevant subject line are necessary for issues that are not emergent in nature.

• Demonstrate active listening in order to understand rather than respond; giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting.

• Demonstrate excellent communication skills by talking to others to convey information effectively.

• Have the ability to calm and reassure patients facing uncomfortable or painful procedures.

• Anticipate and be empathetic to the needs of the patient and discuss sedation levels for ease and comfort.

• Prepare and properly set up treatment rooms for hygiene procedures.

• Review and update the patient's health history, record vital signs; chart progress, treatments, and home care compliance at every visit.

• Use proper instrumentation and another team member to examine and record existing restorations and signs of periodontal disease. Communicate and chart findings to the patient and the doctor.

• Work with the dentist to assess, evaluate, and educate the patient through exam, clinical records, and medical history to assist in diagnosis of dental hygiene conditions and diseases.

• Partner with the doctor and patient to develop effective treatment plans.

• Educate and motivate patients on proper oral hygiene and preventative and restorative measures.

• Remove calculus deposits and stains from teeth supra-and sub-gingivally, using dental instruments, including scaling and root planing for patients with periodontal disease.

• Apply fluoride varnish as a preventative measure against decay and sensitivity regardless of age or insurance coverage.

• Administer anesthetic as needed for hygiene patients.

• Review the treatment plan and make sure the patient has full understanding regarding their care, post operative instructions, and the expectation of a Care Call.

• Safely monitor patients during administration of nitrous oxide.

• Schedule appropriate recall appointments achieving and maintaining a reschedule rate of 85% or more in order to maintain patient retention.

• Utilize the Recall Frequency setting to maintain an accurate recall date for each patient in order to comply with the practice perio program.

• Maintain hygiene handpieces, equipment and instruments in good repair and sufficient supply.