Part -time Dental Hygienist - UT Dentists | Harris Health

Dental Hygienist - SOD UTHealth

Join our dental team and help patients achieve optimal oral health through preventive and therapeutic dental care. In this role, you will perform dental cleanings, periodontal maintenance, radiographs, patient assessments, and oral health education. You'll work closely with dentists, residents, and support staff to deliver exceptional patient care while maintaining accurate records and coordinating follow-up treatment and referrals.

Performs dental prophylactic and periodontal maintenance services and conducts educational programs for the prevention and control of dental disease.

Position Key Accountabilities:

• Performs periodontal exams including charting and intra-oral exam under the direction of the attending dentist for diagnosis. Updates medical history every 6 months, takes radiographs as needed and provides therapeutic treatment including prophylaxis, scaling and root planing and maintenance procedures.
• Provides preventative dental treatment such as application of drugs, fluoride, pit, and fissure sealant to the surface tissues and exposed surface of human teeth, and marginates amalgam restorations to smooth the filling borders.
• Advises patients on proper home care for the treatment of teeth and gums.
• Performs and maintains productivity expectations as outlined by the assigned department and/ or clinic.
• Maintains records of patients seen, procedures performed, and the materials used to ensure accurate and current record keeping in the electronic health record system (EHR).
• Schedules patient appointments, review if periodic oral evaluation is needed and assign to appropriate dental provider, prepare and confirms appointments the day before the appointment, and enters patient information into the computer. Sets up and restocks the cubicle work area.
• Identifies and schedule appropriate referrals as needed.
• Utilizes the assigned electronic health record system (EHR) to set-up recall appointments.
• Establishes and maintains productive relationship with all members of the dental team. Provides a dental hygiene perspective of the patient for the attending dentist, resident, and dental assistant to enhance the total dental care treatment.
• Coordinates, plans, and presents educational programs to students and residents to ensure greater comprehension of proper dental practices. Determines timing, place, presentation materials, and hand-outs. Presents instructions and conducts demonstrations with models in the proper methods of brushing teeth and gums.
• Stays up to date with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR/ BLS) training in order to respond to emergency situations.
• Responds to emergency situations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Certification/Skills:

• Licensed Dental Hygienist by Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) required
• Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) by American Red Cross or American Heart Association (AHA) required
• Basic Life Support (BLS) by American Heart Association (AHA) required

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or equivalent required Completion of an approved dental hygiene training program required

Minimum Experience:

None

Physical Requirements:

Exerts up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds frequently and/or up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects.

Security Sensitive:

This position is a security-sensitive position pursuant to Texas Education Code 51.215 and Texas Government Code 411.094. To the extent that a position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Texas Business and Commerce Code 117.001(2), the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired for and to continue to be employed in that position. Personnel in such positions, and similarly situated state contractors, will be routinely reviewed to determine whether things such as criminal history or continuous connections to the government or political apparatus of a foreign adversary might prevent the applicant, employee, or contractor from being able to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure. A foreign adversary is a nation listed in 15 C.F.R. 791.4.

Residency Requirement:

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.