Dental Hygienist

The Dental Hygienist is a clinician, oral health educator, and health promoter. The Dental Hygienist is a licensed primary oral health care professional. Under the direction of the Dentist, the Dental Hygienist will perform procedures as ordered. Also, serving as a team member, demonstrate knowledge and skills to appropriately communicate and interact with the staff, patients, families and visitors of all age groups while being sensitive to their cultural and religious beliefs.

Job Responsibilities

• Examines, assess and documents oral conditions which include those of the head and neck region through the use of clinical measurements, radiographs and other assessment methods
• Develop individualized oral hygiene plan of care to meet the patient’s needs
• Develops diet analysis and counseling for dental caries control and prevention
• Educates patients, the general public and special population groups regarding oral health care
• Assures treatment rooms are adequately prepared and supplied by following prescribed procedures and protocols
• Prepares patient for treatment, by escorting patients from the waiting room to the treatment rooms and verifying the accuracy of dental records
• Assist the dentist and provides logistic support during dental procedures
• Coordinates the dental center’s compliance with OSHA guidelines and universal precautions
• Provides information to patients and employees by responding to questions and requests
• Educate patients by diving oral hygiene, plaque control and postoperative instructions
• Document dental care services by charting in patient records
• Prepare purchase orders for supplies as needed
• Maintain a safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules and regulations
• Willingly attend continuing education in-service workshops
• Protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols
• Performs other duties and assigned and directed by the dentist for patient care
• Assists dentist in managing dental and medical emergencies
• Maintains prompt and regular attendance.
• Verify timecard at the end of each pay period
• Two or Four year degree from a School of Dental Hygiene accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)
• At least one year of related dental experience
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) through the American Heart Association
• Knowledge of sterilization, select, mix, and place materials on instruments and in patients’ mouths
• Welcomes, comforts, seats and drapes patients
• Good written and oral communication skills with the ability to interpret dental reports, x-rays, etc
• Must have the ability to multi-task while working under pressure

Physical and Other Requirements

• Continuously listen, visualize and have dexterity and eye-hand coordination
• Ability for simple grasping and speed work
• Demonstrate positive personal attributes such as professionalism, honesty and integrity
• Conscientious of maintenance and appearance of the Dental Center
• Frequently sit, squat, reach and use both right and left forearm rotation and walk
• Occasionally kneel, twist, have ability to grasp firmly, lift and carry, push and pull in excess of 10 lbs.