Community Based- Registered Dental Hygienist

Job Description

Job Description

Community-Based Dental Program Hygienist

Job Summary : The Community-Based Dental Program Hygienist supports The School Based Dental Program (SBDP) which is a critical part of the Choptank Community Health System (CCHS) oral health team and plays an essential role in the prevention of dental decay in children. Provides dental prophylaxis, fluoride varnish treatment, dental sealants, and oral hygiene instruction. Plans and conducts oral health educational programs within the school setting with a focus on the prevention and control of dental disease. Initiates patient referrals for follow up care and serves as a key link between dental providers and patients/families. Assists in the coordination of the day-to-day SBDP activities including record maintenance and other activities as needed. This position requires traveling to various sites across CCHS five-county service area on the mid-shore, specifically in CCHS Mobile Health Unit (MHU). This is an exempt, full-time position in pay grade 8 with the pay range of $76,843.00 - $115,264.00. The Community-Based Dental Program Hygienist reports directly to the Director of Community Based Programs and is supervised in dyad with Dental Hygiene leadership.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Must be able to work independently
• Possess excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills
• Communicate effectively
• Must possess valid driver’s license and have dependable transportation.
• Driving CCHS vehicles, specifically our MHU, is a requirement.
• Will regularly travel to all school and community locations where CCHS provides care.

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Licensed as a Dental Hygienist by the State of Maryland (license must remain current including renewed on-time)
• Minimum of two years of related experience

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

• General office environment in clinical health centers and Mobile Health Unit (MHU)
• Frequent travel
• Frequent exposure to workplace conditions includes bending, climbing stairs, walking, kneeling, and reaching.
• Includes fine and gross motor skills, lifting less than 20 pounds, and vision.
• Occasional exposure to workplace conditions includes air borne pathogens, blood borne pathogens and cleaning agents.

Standards of Behavior:

• Commitment To Service
• Respect
• Quality
• Teamwork
• Patient Focus
• Integrity
• Accountability
• Caring & Compassion
• Professionalism
• Listening & Responding
• Safety
• AIDET

Job Related Competencies:

• Empathetic Outlook- The ability to perceive and understand the feelings and attitudes of others; the ability to place oneself “in the shoes” of another and to view a situation from their perspective.
• Attention to Detail - The ability to process detailed information effectively and consistently.
• Problem Solving- Identifies and analyzes problems weighing the relevance and accuracy of available information. Generates and evaluates alternative solutions and makes effective and timely decisions.
• Communicates Effectively- Developing and delivering multi-mode communication that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Values And Ethics - Serving with integrity and respect in personal and organizational practices. Ensuring decisions and transactions are transparent and fair.
• Time Management- The ability to effectively manage one’s time and resources to ensure that work is completed efficiently.

Commitment to Community:

Choptank Community Health System (CCHS) is committed to creating a safe and open healthcare environment that improves health outcomes and values and respects the unique experiences and perspectives of both patients and staff by:

• Prioritizing access for all individuals;
• Offering ongoing training for staff to promote health awareness, preventive measures and early detection for the varied patient population on the Eastern Shore;
• Actively engaging with patients, families and staff;
• Fostering a workplace culture in which everyone is treated with dignity.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Provides preventive dental treatments including fluoride varnish and the topical application of pit and fissure sealants to the surface tissues and exposed surfaces of human teeth.
• Conducts a pain and risk assessment for every patient to determine which services to provide. Thoroughly cleans patient’s teeth, including scaling and polishing.
• Presents instruction and conducts demonstrations with model in proper methods of brushing teeth and gums during patient visits.
• Utilizes electronic dental record to document patient visit.
• Consults patients on proper nutrition as this promotes dental and gingival health.
• Communicates the results of patient visit with child’s dental home office.
• Completes correspondence to patient’s parent/guardian detailing the dental visit.
• Facilitates case management of children in the School Based Dental Program identified with dental disease.
• Maintains a safe and hygienic environment for patients.
• Stays current on the operation and maintenance of all SBDP equipment.
• Prepares, sterilizes organizes and sets up equipment.
• Ensures all dental instruments are clean, dated and processed according to established clinic guidelines.
• Works with community groups and organizations to offer education programs that are age/audience appropriate and contain current oral health research/topics. Determines timing, place, presentation material and handouts.
• Participates in Back-to-School nights and other related activities to promote the SBDP.
• Shares information on the SBDP with CCHS and school staff to secure program support and success.
• Accurately documents and updates logs according to SBDP policy and procedures on daily basis.
• Regular, reliable attendance is a requirement of this job.

Benefits:

• Tuition and education assistance
• Certification scholarships available
• Paid holidays (9)
• Flexible paid time off and vacation scheduling
• 403(b)
• 403(b) matching
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision coverage
• Life insurance
• Referral program
• Employee wellness program
• Discretionary Bonuses

Choptank Community Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate based on actual or perceived race, creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability or handicap, sex, marital or family status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, political affiliation, arrest record, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Our management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities and general treatment during employment.