Dental Hygienist

The Dental Hygienist assesses patients' oral health needs, develops and implements individualized dental hygiene care plans, provides direct patient care, and delivers oral health education and preventive services using established clinical protocols and procedures.


ESSENTIAL BEHAVIORS:
Build Trust: Operate with transparency, no hidden agenda; place confidence in colleagues, give proper credit to others. Follow through on agreed upon actions. Treat sensitive or confidential information appropriately. Keep emotions under control. Exhibit ethical and moral behavior in everyday business conduct.
Foster Communication: Demonstrate ability to carefully listen to others at all levels of the organization. Seek and listen to feedback and be approachable. Express thoughts and ideas effectively. Display and promote cross cultural sensitivity.
Display Stewardship: Understand business implications of decisions. Conserve organization resources. Look for ways to improve and promote quality. Take personal responsibility. Use resources in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide direct dental hygiene care to patients as assigned and within the scope of licensure, including dental prophylaxis, periodontal debridement/scaling, polishing, dental radiographs, application of sealants and topical fluoride, and other authorized preventive and therapeutic procedures.
• Assess patients' oral health status and needs through medical and dental history review, oral health screening, periodontal assessment, dental charting, radiographs, and collection of vital signs when indicated.
• Develop and implement individualized dental hygiene care plans based on the patient's oral health needs and risk factors, in collaboration with the dentist and other members of the dental team.
• Provide comprehensive patient education regarding oral hygiene, periodontal health, caries prevention, nutrition, fluoride use, tobacco cessation, and other appropriate oral health topics.
• Obtain diagnostically acceptable dental radiographs in accordance with established radiation safety procedures and applicable regulations. Review and discuss radiographic findings with patients and dental providers as appropriate.
• Perform patient triage when necessary and communicate relevant findings to the dentist or appropriate provider for evaluation and treatment.
• Recognize and appropriately respond to medical emergencies or sudden adverse developments during patient treatment. Initiate emergency measures within the employee's training and scope of practice and obtain assistance from the dentist or other appropriate personnel as needed.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and timely documentation of patient assessments, treatment, education, and other relevant information in the electronic dental record.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe clinical treatment area and properly prepare and disinfect treatment areas in accordance with infection prevention and control policies.
• Follow Standard Precautions and established infection prevention and control procedures at all times, including appropriate use of personal protective equipment, hand hygiene before and after patient care, and proper handling and disposal of contaminated materials
• Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with HIPAA and all applicable federal, state, and organizational privacy requirements.
• Communicate effectively with patients, families, dentists, dental assistants, and other health care providers regarding patient care and treatment needs.
• Serve as an interpreter between the patient and dental provider when appropriate and when language skills permit, while utilizing professional interpreter services when required by organizational policy.

QUALIFICATIONS (Education and Training): Required vs Preferred

• Minimum of one (1) year of current dental hygiene experience
• Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in Dental Hygiene;
• Certification of administering local anesthetic for the delivery of dental care to patients.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Employee Health Labs (MMR, Varcilla, Hep B, and TB skin test (or QuantiFERON)
• Annual and individual trainings
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to develop rapport and maintain positive relationships with a variety of patients, visitors, staff and providers.
• Ability to understand and react with cultural sensitivity to client needs.
• Bilingual preferred.