Dental Hygienist

Overview

The Dental Hygienist will clean teeth and examine oral areas, head, and neck for signs of oral disease. The position also educates patients on oral hygiene, takes and develops X-rays, and applies fluoride or sealants.

Skills and Qualifications

• Must be licensed to practice in Ohio and meet other applicable state requirements
• Must have completed at least 2 years of post-secondary education from an accredited dental hygiene program
• Experience providing prophylaxis and taking X-rays
• Excellent interpersonal skills to maintain effective rapport with patients, dentists, and coworkers
• The ability to convey complex health information in a simple way
• Excellent critical-thinking skills
• Driven to stay up to date on the latest dental tools and methods
• Current Hepatitis B vaccination
• Current CPR certification

Duties and Responsibilities

• Administers prophylactic treatment by the scaling and polishing of teeth.
• Documents area of existing restorations and notable areas of possible decay and disease for dentist's review. When appropriate, may call in the dentist for immediate consultation.
• Takes x-rays to determine the extent of any decay and disease.
• Administers fluoride treatment as needed.
• Updates the medical history of the patient, highlighting significant information for the dentist's review.
• Instructs patients in oral hygiene techniques, answering patient questions and providing other educational information relevant to oral hygiene.
• Practices universal precautions and other sterilization and infection control procedures and maintains equipment.
• Provides associated administrative support, including maintaining patient documentation, patient communication, and other record-keeping.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements

The following physical activities described are a representation of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations.

While performing the functions of this job, the individual must be able to stand for long periods; and have the ability to speak, understand, and communicate the English language effectively; the ability to hear adequately on the phone or in person and group settings; and utilize visual acuity to read small print.

Must have sufficient motor function to execute movements reasonably required to provide general care and treatment to patients including the ability to directly operate foot controls using fine movements; the ability to operate hand and mechanical dental hygiene instruments around the teeth and structures in the oral cavity; the ability to perform palpation, percussion, and other diagnostic maneuvers and procedures; the ability to transfer and position disabled patients and to physically restrain patients who lack motor control; and the ability to position and reposition self around patient and chair in a sitting or standing position.

Must have the coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium, and integrated use of the senses of touch and vision to execute movements reasonably required to provide general care and treatment to patients as detailed above.