Dental Hygienist

Dental HygienistAn employee in this classification may perform the following duties: examines teeth of patients and makes referrals to dentist if special professional care is indicated, applies topical fluorides and performs dental prophylaxis in the prevention of dental disease, records findings and maintains records on dental status and services rendered to patients, instructs patients on the proper care of teeth and recommends measures for the prevention of dental disease, and assists the Dentist in planning and carrying out dental health programs. Patient care duties are usually performed independently chairside with review of a Dentist upon completion. Patients are primarily pediatric dental patients. Work requires daily contact with patients and their family members. Hours are Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday 7:30-5:30 and Thursday 7:30-5:00. Off Friday.Examples of Job DutiesExamines teeth of patients and makes referrals to the Dentist if special professional care is indicated. Reviews medical history, cleans, scales, and polishes teeth. Applies topical fluorides and performs dental prophylaxis in the prevention of dental disease; records findings and maintains records on dental status and services rendered to patients. Instructs patients on the proper care of teeth and recommends measures for the prevention of dental disease. Assists the Dentist in planning and implementing dental health programs; evaluates, develops, and distributes educational materials. Cleans and sterilizes dental instruments; prepares and arranges instrument trays; explains procedures to patients. Takes routine X-rays and photographs; processes and mounts film. Maintains a variety of records; prepares variety of reports. Applies sealants and fluoride. Operates standard dental hygienist equipment including but not limited to hygiene loupes, air/water syringes, high volume evacuator, saliva ejectors, autoclave, dental instruments, and x-ray equipment. Operates computer, scanner, calculator, and other standard office equipment incident to maintaining records. Participates in ongoing training as required. Additional Job Duties Schedules appointments. Performs duties of a Dental Assistant as assigned. Performs related duties as required.Knowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesConsiderable knowledge of and skill in the application of the techniques and practices of dental hygiene. Considerable knowledge of technical procedures and office protocol. Considerable knowledge of dental equipment, instruments, and procedures. Knowledge of educational theory and techniques in preparing and disseminating dental health educational information. Ability to secure the cooperation of the patient and to elicit required information. Ability to follow oral and written instructions and to interpret and maintain records and reports. Ability to deal tactfully and professionally with the public and to exercise good judgment in appraising situations and making decisions. Skill in the performance of technical services to patients. Skill in customer service excellence, teamwork and collaborative conflict resolution. Skill in operating standard dental equipment including but not limited to hygiene loops, air/water syringes, high volume evacuator, saliva ejectors, autoclave, dental instruments, and x-ray equipment. Ability to maintain records, inventories, and patient charts. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients, professional and support personnel, community and civic groups, the Dentist, and the general public. Ability to establish and follow work procedures and prepare and maintain accurate records and reports.QualificationsAssociate's degree in dental hygiene from an appropriately accredited institution; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Licensed to practice as a dental hygienist in North Carolina. Stanly County is an Equal Opportunity EmployerBenefitsSTANLY COUNTY BENEFITS (Full-time Employees) Employees accrue sick and vacation time each paycheck. Stanly County observes twelve (12) holidays. New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving (Thursday and Friday), Christmas (3 days). Employees receive one (1) personal day per year. INSURANCE BENEFITS: Stanly County provides health & vision insurance with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. Our plan is a PPO, 80/20, with a $1000 deductible. Teledoc is offered through our insurance for a $10 co-pay per visit. Primary care visit is a $40 co-payment. Specialist is $50 co-pay. One free eye exam per year. The insurance coverage is FREE to full-time employees. Dental Coverage is with Guardian dental insurance and is FREE to full-time employees. Other volunteer insurance benefits include: Flexible Spending Program, Life Insurance, Cancer, Accident, and Disability policies. Stanly County offers an employee health clinic. Our on-site Advance Practice Provider will see employees and dependents covered on our county insurance plan free of charge. This service does not replace your primary healthcare providers but augments their care. As a wellness benefit, employees have the option of joining the Stanly County YMCA. The County will pay half of the employee's membership. Employee Assistant Program is offered through Atrium Health. Each employee will receive up to six (6) free sessions on a rolling year. Dependent children and/or spouse may also use the sessions. RETIREMENT: Stanly County Employees will be a member of the N. C. Local Government Employees' Retirement System. Stanly County is required to withhold six percent (6%) from each paycheck and deposit it into the retirement system. The County also contributes to the plan. You are vested at five years as a contributing member. After one year of contributing membership in the system, a death benefit is available if you die while still in active service or within 180 days of your last day of service. NC 401(k) (Supplemental Retirement Plan): Employees can contribute to the Empower 401(k) plan upon hire. If the employee contributes at least one percent (1%), Stanly County will match one percent (1%). Additionally, employees may make additional contributions through the following options: 457 Deferred Compensation Plan and Roth Plan Option. LONGEVITY: Longevity pay is earned after three (3) years of continuous Local Government retirement benefited service working with Stanly County government. Longevity Bonus: 3 years but less than 5 years $300 5 years but less than 10 years $600 10 years but less than 15 years $900 15 years but less than 20 years $1,200 20 years or more $1,500