Public Health Dental Hygienist (PHDH)

Position type: Full-Time Pay/Salary: $38.00 - $45.00/hour Full-time with benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Pension, Vacation, Sick, Holiday, and Personal Time Pay Scale: $38.00 - $45.00/hour Compensation based on experience and qualifications Non-union position This is dental work at the practitioner level in the care and treatment of the teeth and gums of patients in the Macoupin County Dental Health Clinics and/or mobile units. Employees in this position provide educational, preventative and therapeutic, and intra-oral services. Employees perform hygienist duties independently, such as examining teeth and other oral structures, cleaning teeth, applying sealants, and topical fluoride and performing radiological procedures under the collaborative of a General Dentist. Employees additionally maintain records of dental treatment. Employees may be assisted by support staff in the dental clinic. Employees in this position must work at multiple health centers and/or mobile units and on varying shifts as assigned based on health center needs and must work independent of the collaborating dentist. Staff in this position must perform practices of a Public Health Dental Hygienist without authorization, assignment or examinations by a dentist, but under policy, protocol, and collaboration from a General Dentist. Reports to the Dental Director. EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED Must practice under collaborative with General Dentist as established by MCPHD Completion with diploma from a recognized Dental Hygiene Program State of Illinois License PHDH Certification with the Illinois Department of Public Health A minimum of 1 year of supervised experience providing direct service in a clinical setting Maintains certification through appropriate credentialing organizations Must possess professional knowledge of oral health principles, practices and processes Principle and practices of preventative medicine as they apply to dental hygiene Technical dental treatment procedures and dental nomenclature Public Health concepts and dental hygiene practices and procedures such as sterilization and care of dental instruments Current infection control procedures, bloodborne pathogen standards and OSHA regulations General office procedures, patient flow and standard clerical operations as they apply to a dental clinic Computer knowledge and work experience are beneficial Good organization skills and good communication skills required Ability to deal tactfully with patients and others in various situation Ability to handle instruments and materials carefully and safely Ability to perform Basic Life Support (BLS) Requires the ability to be mobile without limitations and to stand for long periods of time. The ability to lift up to 50lbs is required. The ability to handle intermittent sitting, bending and reaching. May be exposed to bodily fluids during routine duties; must always wear gloves, safety goggles and other related safety equipment and follow proper exposure safety procedures Deals with radiography procedures and must follow related safety guidelines. Friendly, polite and outgoing with patients/visitors Ability to plan ahead and anticipate issues Dependable and Consistent ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK Works independently with patients Oral Hygiene instructions, group classes on oral health, nutrition counseling related to oral health Assesses dental condition and needs of patient including examining head, neck, and oral cavity for disease; uses patient oral cancer screenings, conducts dental charting and periodontal charting for diagnosis and treatment Delivers direct patient care to patients using delineated public health dental hygienist procedures per collaborative; takes impressions of teeth; administers local anesthesia under the direct supervision of a dentist, performs treatment procedures such as oral prophylaxis, scaling, root planning, curettage, polishing, places chemotherapeutic medicaments and subgingival agents, conditions teeth for and applies protective topical agents, sealants and fluorides and related procedures within scope of practice for public health dental hygiene practitioners Takes and processes dental digital x-rays using imaging software; operates the electronic health records system to submit billing requests and to manage existing health center patient treatments Develops and implements individualized dental care plans for patients; performs patient/family education including good oral hygiene, flossing and brushing techniques, and nutritional counseling; performs discharge planning Make referrals; follow up on referrals Assists with emergency measures for sudden adverse developments during treatment of patients Assists in preparation of patient care areas; attends meetings, prepares reports and assists as required with triage and/or office duties such as scheduling Orders and maintains dental hygiene instruments and supplies Instructs children and adults in the health center, at schools and in the community or proper dental care and oral hygiene; promotes maintenance or oral health between visits Fluoride varnish or silver diamine fluoride applications for pediatric patients Works closely with the Dentist and/or Registered Dental Hygienist as needed May direct activities of support staff and may provide Health Education training on a quarterly basis Knowledge of all Macoupin County Public Health personnel policies and procedures Contributes to the goal that patients are treated with courtesy and respect in a professional manner by all dental staff Performs other duties as required or assigned #J-18808-Ljbffr