Dental Hygienist

Certified School Dental Hygienist

Reports To: Supervisor of School Health Director of Student Services

Position Goals: To collaborate with other Reading School District dental hygienists to develop, implement, and evaluate the approved Dental Hygiene Services Program, to enhance a school environment in which each student can reach his or her optimal level of oral and overall well-being and educational potential.

Performance Responsibilities:

• Assists district administrators and school dental consultant in developing and optimizing the Dental Hygiene Services Program.
• Promotes and protects the dental status of all students and staff.
• Performs state-mandated dental evaluations: Reviews the health and developmental history for each student. Evaluates findings for oral cancer, proper alignment (occlusion), gingival health, decay, baby bottle syndrome, abscess, and systemic infections (cellulitis). Identifies students with dental health needs that require consultation with a dentist.
• Maintains current and cumulative dental health records for each student.
• Maintains, evaluates, and interprets cumulative dental health data to accommodate individual needs of students. Notes dental health problems on the permanent health record.
• Coordinates necessary dental treatment: Interprets the dental health status of students to parents and district personnel. Initiates referrals to parents/guardians, district personnel, and community health providers and resources for dental treatment. Differentiates between situations to be referred to primary dental health care provider and emergency personnel. Provides on-going dental health counseling with students, parents/guardians, district personnel, and dental health providers. Incorporates student and family culture, resources, skills, and needs while coordinating dental treatment. Utilizes existing dental health resources to coordinate appropriate care for students. Evaluates student and family response to treatment needs on students' dental health record.
• Completes annual state dental evaluation reports and provides information regarding dental health status to district administrators as directed.
• Recommends provisions for a school environment conducive to optimal oral health and learning.
• Provides dental health education: Provides direct dental health education and dental health counseling to assist students, families and staff in making decisions on health and lifestyles that affect dental and overall health. Participates in dental health education directly and indirectly for the improvement of dental health by teaching students, families, and staff to become more assertive dental health consumers and to develop responsible self-care habits. Counsels students, families, and staff concerning dental health issues which, if left untreated can cause systemic problems, in order to facilitate responsible decision-making practices. Serves as a resource person to the classroom teacher and administrators in dental health instruction and dental health curriculum and as a member of the wellness committee. Participates in home visits to assess the family's needs as related to the child's dental health. Coordinates school and community dental health activities and serves as a liaison person between the home, school, and community.
• Supervises performance of the dental clerk in the area of follow-up procedures and clerical tasks. Assists in ordering and receiving dental and paper supplies. Prepares monthly, annual, and other reports as required by the Supervisor of School Health. Prepares and submits dental-related accident reports. Prepares and submits child abuse reports based on neglect of necessary dental care. Engages in research and evaluation of Dental Hygiene Services Program to act as a change agent for school dental health programs and school dental hygiene practices. Assists in the formation of dental health policies, goals, and objectives for the school district. Acts as a mentor and preceptor for new school dental hygienist training. Acts as a resource person in promoting dental health careers.

Physical Requirements: Standing for extended periods of time. Sitting at a desk/table for extended periods of time. Frequent bending, stooping, twisting, reaching, grasping. Light lifting up to 25 pounds. High level of manual dexterity. Use of hands for fine motor activity.

Qualification Requirements: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience: Bachelor's Degree, required. Dental Hygienist License, required. Ed Specialist I Certification, required.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Valid dental hygiene license issued by the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry. Valid Educational Specialist I Certification issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Valid Pennsylvania driver's license. Current CPR /AED certification.

Language Skills: Ability to communicate clearly and distinctly in person and via phone. Ability to read, analyze and interpret policy and procedure manuals, professional journals, governmental regulations, and legal documents. Ability to read, write, and maintain records and reports. Ability to read and write correspondence with parents/guardians, various district personnel, health care providers and community liaisons. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from students and parents/guardians, building staff, peers, various district personnel, and administrators. Ability to coordinate activities with related and specialist staff.

Mathematical Skills: Ability to work mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions for practical situations.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written and oral form.

Evaluation: Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board's policy on evaluation of personnel. The position holder must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation. It is the responsibility of the employee to inform the school district administrator designated as immediate supervisor of the position, of any and all reasonable accommodations that will be required. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned. The Reading School District is an equal opportunity employment, educational and service organization.