DENTAL HYGIENIST

Dental Hygienist - 64082345The incumbent, an employee of the Florida Department of Health in Putnam County, works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts. The incumbent is expected to promote innovation by searching for creative solutions and managing resources wisely. They are expected to collaborate through teamwork to achieve common goals and solve problems. The incumbent is expected to be accountable and perform with integrity and respect. They are expected to be responsive by serving our customers and engaging our partners. Finally, the incumbent is expected to perform with excellence by promoting quality outcomes through learning and continuous performance.The Public Health Registered Dental Hygienist is responsible for coordinating and implementing the school-based dental sealant program, while also providing chairside, clinical hygiene services in the fixed dental clinic. This role supports community oral health initiatives, ensures delivery of evidence-based preventive dental services, and upholds regulatory and professional practice standards in all settings. This position must be able to work independently, appropriately managing time and productivity, to implement skills and initiative needed to seek and develop opportunities related to public health dental hygiene, as it relates to the SBSP, while concurrently providing chairside care in the fixed clinic.As the SBSP Coordinator, the general duty of this position is to provide services and education to students and families in Title I schools, Title I After Care Programs, public Charter Schools, and other health department or community settings. The State SBSP Goal is to promote dental health, prevent dental caries, and link children and their families to a dental provider. While working in this role, the incumbent will provide preventive dental services, including prophylactic hygiene services and education, for pre-school and school age children, including oral screenings, cleanings, fluoride treatments, and the application of sealants, when necessary. As part of the SBSP, the incumbent will provide oral hygiene and dietary education to children and their parents/guardians. Incumbent will effectively interact with pre-school and school-age children, addressing questions, decreasing fears surrounding dental services, and work with students on behavioral issues related to non-compliance with oral hygiene. Incumbent will plan, organize, and manage all activities related to the SBSP. Incumbent will conduct outreach in schools, families, and community partners, to facilitate program participation. Incumbent will perform oral health screenings, risk assessments, fluoride application, and placement of dental sealants, in school settings, while following state practice guidelines. Incumbent ensures compliance with all clinical, documentation, consent, and reporting requirements. The incumbent will train and oversee support staff assigned to school-based events, ensuring adherence to infection control, data entry standards, and equipment handling. Incumbent will collaborate with school staff to schedule events, and to ensure scheduling conflicts do not occur between the fixed-clinic and the SBSP. Incumbent will be responsible for all data entry and surveillance required for the FLOSS Program, making sure required data is entered timely, is accurate, and is in accordance with the guidelines of the FDOH. The incumbent will represent FDOH-Putnam at school functions, outreach events, and interact with community partners to promote positive dental outcomes for school-aged children. The incumbent will work effectively with Facilities staff at DOH – Putnam, to ensure the appropriate logistical information has been shared surrounding outreach events, including equipment transport, inventory, and supply procurement. The incumbent in this position may be required to use vehicles owned, leased, or operated by the state or county to conduct official state business. State or county vehicles shall be used only for officially authorized duties and not for personal use, unless a specific exception applies under Florida law (F.S. § 287.17). Incumbent will provide direct, clinical dental hygiene services, including assessments, prophylaxis, periodontal therapy, fluoride treatments, radiographs, sealants, and oral health education, in the fixed-dental clinic. The incumbent will work chairside, with dentists and dental assistants during clinical procedures, supporting efficient patient flow and high-quality care. Incumbent will complete and maintain accurate electronic dental records, charting, referrals, and billing-related documentation. Incumbent will apply public health principles to patient education, emphasizing prevention, disease management, and community resources while ensuring adherence to infection control protocols, sterilization procedures, and clinic safety standards. Incumbent will support clinic operations through patient triage, coordination of care, supply management, and quality improvement activities, to include asset management of dental supplies by checking expiration dates, rotating clean supply and ensuring that instruments and supplies needed to provide excellent dental care are always available. Incumbent will order and maintain dental supply inventory, which will be utilized in both the SBSP, and fixed-dental clinic care. Incumbent will participate in oral health outreach events, health fairs, and emergency response activities, along with other duties, as assigned.Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of dental terminology, dental hygiene principles, practices, and procedures. Skill in using dental instrument and equipment. Skilled in performing prophylaxis, instructing patients in preventive dental techniques, and using general office equipment i.e., personal, or portable computers. Ability to follow general office procedures & practices, prioritize, plan, organize & coordinate work assignments & communicate effectively verbally & in writing, establish & maintain effective working relationship with others, to understand, interpret & apply applicable rules, regulations, policies & procedures. Ability to assemble, disassemble, and transport portable dental equipment to and from school settings with time proficiency, based on distance, in county designated vehicle. Minimum - Licensure as a Dental Hygienist in accordance with Florida Stature 466. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) – current or obtainable during employment. Board of Dentistry, Chapter 64B, 64B5 through 64B-27 Certification of Acknowledgement - this position follows and monitors compliance (when applicable) mandatory requirements in Section 215.422, Florida Statutes, and Chapter 3A-24, Florida Administrative Code. Preferred- DOH Experience, Bi-Lingual, Pediatric Dental Experience, Eagle Soft Software knowledge.Florida Department of Health in Putnam County 2801 Kennedy St Palatka, FL 32177