DENTAL HYGIENIST

Dental Hygienist - 64043754

This position is responsible for providing dental preventive care and oral health education for the dental programs at the Bradford & Union County Health Departments in the clinic setting and/or in the setting of a mobile school-based sealant program. This position is under the supervision of the Public Health Services Manager and under the professional supervision of the dentist assigned to the Dental Program. Responsibilities include maintaining information in accordance with the state and federal statutes, rules, regulations and DOH policies, protocols, and procedures.

Dental Hygienist duties for the School-based Sealant Program, Brick-and-Mortar Clinic, and other associated Programs:

• CLERICAL/PATIENT CONTACT DUTIES
• Performs moderately complex clerical duties such as data entry, billing services, customer service duties, scheduling, providing school/work excuses, answering phones, scanning, and filing.
• Responsible for completing daily encounters, entering services, and billing into HMS for all services rendered.
• Responsible for making sure that all data entered in HMS and dental software matches.
• Assists supervisor in communicating with the school staff regarding visits from the dental programs to their schools.
• Delivers consent forms to schools and/or utilizes the school system's inner-office mail system to deliver and collect consents.
• Participates in local outreaches to promote the dental programs and to educate the public on oral health.
• Promotes dental education by preparing and/or delivering dental presentations to classrooms or events.
• Attend staff meetings, in-services and trainings as required.
• Codes and records (EARS).
• Maintains complete and accurate personnel forms including timesheets and travel vouchers.
• Responsible for securing the designated information sets for the purpose of protecting confidentiality, data integrity, and appropriate access, for all information, both confidential and public record, which is stored in hard copy or electronic formats.
• CLINICAL/CHAIR-SIDE DUTIES
• Performs dental hygiene related work (per Florida statutes) as required in the clinic and school-based setting such as: dental assessments, prophylaxis, topical fluoride applications, oral hygiene instructions, nutrition and tobacco counseling, sealants, silver diamine fluoride applications, radiographs, dentition charting, etc.
• Completes and maintains patients' medical records.
• Participates in set-up and break-down of equipment and supplies for the school-based sealant program.
• Upholds quality infection control standards through the sterilization or disinfecting of all operatory and laboratory equipment, instruments and supplies.
• Responsible for ensuring that all the patient care is provided in an aseptic environment.
• Handles all biohazardous waste and sharp objects according to Federal and state OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) guidelines.
• Assists in updating the dental Program Procedure manual, the Dental Material Safety Sheet log, the Dental Hazardous materials Procedure Handbook and Dental Program Equipment Manuals as required by Federal, State, and FDOH Bradford/Union regulations.
• Maintains and updates all the Dental Department equipment and supply inventory control systems.
• Restocks operatories, business offices, and supply cabinets as needed daily.
• Performs a physical Inventory of dental office and generates purchase requisitions for needed supplies and equipment.
• Communicates with parents/guardians regarding care that is planned, provides oral health education to the patient and parent/guardian, provides pre-op and post-op instructions to the parent/guardian, and assists with scheduling appointments for further dental needs.
• Assists in the maintenance and emergency repair of dental equipment.
• Responsible for knowledge of policies and procedures of the dental program.
• Responsible for assisting in completing daily, weekly, and monthly preventive maintenance on dental equipment including dental units and autoclaves.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of standard dental terminology, procedures, techniques, and materials.
• Basic Computer Skills
• Strong Time Management skills
• Knowledge of sterilization equipment, OSHA standards, and x-ray equipment
• Ability to communicate and interact effectively with patients, parents/guardians, healthcare providers, the public and staff
• Strong customer service skills with the ability to de-escalate situations and a strong focus on patient satisfaction
• Ability to work accurately and efficiently with attention to detail

Qualifications:

• Minimum: Licensed (1) one or more years as a Dental Hygienist in accordance with Chapter 466, Florida Statutes.
• One (1) or more years of experience working with pediatric dental patients.
• One (1) or more years of experience with placing dental sealants.
• Valid Driver's License
• CPR certification
• Preferred: Experience working with Microsoft Office (ex: Word, Excel, etc.)
• Experience working with Eaglesoft

Where You Will Work: Florida Department of Health – Union County 495 E Main St Lake Butler, FL 32054