Registered Dental Hygienist

Job Description

Job Description

Summary of Position:

Provide quality dental care and associated services to patients under the general 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. Ensure the efficiency and productivity of patient flow through timely, and accurate documentation of patient information. Willingness to learn and team player mentality is a must. The RDH’s actions and decisions must be consistent with Inner City Health’s (ICH) mission statement.

Primary Accountabilities:

1. Improve the oral health of patients through the delivery of periodontal therapies and other dental hygiene-related services.
2. Enhance the efficiency of the clinic by performing expanded duties as allowable by law and as directed by the dentist.
3. Ensure all patients enjoy a positive experience and are treated with the care and compassion expected.
4. Ensure all patient records and related documents are managed and maintained in a timely, accurate manner, and consistent with all HIPAA and related regulations and requirements.
5. Ensure all tasks associated with patient care, patient administrative process, and related duties comply with all regulatory and accreditation standards, as well as clinic policies and procedures.
6. Ensure direct patient care is delivered using established dental hygiene procedures.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Ensure compliance and attention to all corporate policies and procedures.
10. Complete continuing education as necessary to retain state license.

Essential Functions

1. 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.

2. Evaluate overall oral health, examining oral cavity for signs of periodontal disease or possible cancers, including recessed & bleeding gums, and oral lesions.

3. Expose radiographs with digital imaging software.

4. Document dental history or chief complaint; record and report pertinent observations and patient reactions to dentists, as appropriate.

5. Demonstrate knowledge of established oral hygiene concepts and periodontal therapies. Properly diagnose patients who exhibit periodontal disease using clinical and radiographic evidence. Subsequently, treatment plan the appropriate procedures which may include prophylaxis, periodontal scaling, root planning, debridement, supra and subgingival scaling and curettage, application of fluoride treatments, and application of protective sealants.

6. Assist with or initiate emergency measures for sudden adverse developments during treatment of patients.

7. Help patients feel comfortable before, during and after dental treatment.

8. Educate patients in oral hygiene and dental care, including proper tooth brushing, flossing, nutrition and need for professional care.

9. Demonstrate commitment to the mission of the organization in promoting dental health.

10. Interact positively with a diverse, and sometimes difficult patient population. Provide service in a manner that is appropriate for the patient’s age; and demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the patient’s physical, psychosocial, educational and safety needs.

11. Read, write, and maintain patient records and related administrative documentation.

12. Utilize the requisite tools, systems, technology, and equipment in the collection of patient data, records management, and collections.

13. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of dentistry procedures, clinic infection control procedures, cleaning and sterilization of instruments, tray setup and materials.

14. Provide relief and support to Direct Patient Care Staff (DPCS) and perform office duties as requested.

This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the team member occupying this position. The RDH will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by the COO. The listed requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the team member must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Furthermore, passing a thorough background check is a requirement for employment with ICH.

Education and/or Experience:

Education

· Current Registered Dental Hygienist with state licensure.

Physical Requirements:

Normal work environment is in an office and medical and dental clinical setting, which involves some physical risks requiring basic safety precautions. This position routinely requires sitting, standing, bending/stooping, operating a computer for extended periods, and lifting or carrying objects up to 25 pounds. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision. This position requires frequent walking throughout the medical and dental clinic and offices and may require walking up and down flights of stairs. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable qualified candidates to perform the described essential functions of this position.

Equipment typically required to be used for this position:

Standard office equipment including computer, copier, fax, and telephones.

Demonstrate proper use of dental instruments and sterilization equipment.