Dental Hygienist

JOB DESCRIPTION


Title: Dental Hygienist


FLSA Category: Exempt


Reports To: Chief Medical Officer


Date Issued: December 2017, Revised November 2023, May 2026

Greater Baden Medical Services (GBMS) is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) dedicated to providing high-quality healthcare across Southern Maryland. With 9 clinical sites across Prince George's, Charles, and St. Mary's counties, we serve over 18,000 patients each year. We provide fully integrated care that includes primary care, pediatrics, women's health, Title X family planning, dental care, behavioral health, WIC, pharmacy services, and the Ryan White HIV/AIDS program. Our patient population is primarily made up of Medicaid and uninsured individuals. We are deeply proud to deliver these vital services to everyone in our community, regardless of their ability to pay, making Greater Baden an incredibly rewarding place to grow your career while making a tangible, life-changing impact every day.

Job Summary:


This position provides dental hygiene and promotes dental health. Responsible for providing patient care as appropriate in the clinical setting under the supervision of a general dentist.


Essential Functions:

1. Screening of patients to include review health history, inspection of head and neck, evaluation for oral cancer, taking blood pressure and dental charting

1. Perform cleanings and address concerns related to patients teeth, gums, and related structures or tissues the mouth.

1. Work with dentist to refer patients who have abnormalities including cavities, defective fillings, suspicious growths

1. Placement of sealants and application of fluoride

1. Taking dental radiographs

1. Educating patients about appropriate oral hygiene strategies including nutrition, flossing, use of fluoride, and other aspects of dental care

1. Oversees maintenance of case histories, health examination reports, and other dental records.

1. Inspects and makes recommendations regarding sanitation and elimination of health hazards.

1. Refers patients to oral specialist or other practitioner for specialized treatment.

1. May conduct oral examinations to provide information needed for admission to school, consideration for jobs, or eligibility for insurance coverage.

1. Provides direct patient care as needed and appropriate to serve the community in accordance with the organization's Health Care Plan.

1. Provides appropriate documentation of clinical care provided in a timely manner. This includes maintenance of patient charts in accordance with clinic protocols, and timely documentation of clinical procedures on encounter forms.

1. Complies with regulations regarding consultations and other services as required by patients' insurance coverage.

1. Complies with Joint Commission standards for ambulatory care.

Nonessential Functions:

1. Performs timely entry into, and manipulation of, the Electronic Health Record.

1. Acts as a resource to other members of the health care team, patients, or other members of the community.

1. Assures quality of patient care by participating in the organization's Performance Improvement activities.

1. Cooperates with compliance review activities.

1. Submits information needed for credentialing files in a timely manner.

1. When needed, assists the Safety Officer with employee health activities, especially in the event of an exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

1. Participates in team/staff meetings; attends in-service meetings and applicable workshops.

1. Performs any and all other duties required to provide for optimal patient care.

Core Values:


Quality, Respect, Professionalism, Teamwork, Equity, Integrity, Commitment


Supervisory Responsibility

1. Students, interns, fellows and the like

Managerial Responsibilities

1. None

Minimum Qualifications

1. Associate's degree (A.A.) from an accredited Dental Hygienist program and a minimum of six (6) months experience as a Hygienist.

1. Current licensure as a Dental Hygienist in the State of Maryland

1. Certified in Radiology through an accredited dental hygiene program

1. Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certificate (CPR)

1. ACLS or Advanced Life Support within 12 months of employment, if appropriate

Substitutions


None


Work Environment


This job operates in an outpatient office environment. This role is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles, and high stress situations or events.


Physical and Mental Demands

1. Ability to cope with stress.

1. The person in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office

1. Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine and computer printer.

1. The person in this position frequently communicates with patients and/or employees. Must be able to summarize and exchange accurate information.

1. Must be able to lift or catch patient weighing more than 50 pounds in the event of emergency.

1. Performs with frequent interruption or distractions.

1. Adjust priorities quickly as circumstances dictate.

1. Ability to interact appropriately with colleagues for different purposes in different context.

1. Ability to perceive the nature of sound.

1. Expressing or exchanging information by means of the spoken word, or to convey detailed spoken instructions accurately, loudly or quickly.

1. Ability to judge distances and spatial relationships to perceive objects where and as they actually are.

1. Cognitive ability to analyze, count, summarize and synthesize information from multiple sources.

1. Ability to recognize social or professional behavioral cues.

Language Skills


Ability to read and interpret written or verbal documents and instructions. Ability to speak effectively to patients, employees and/or stakeholders of the organization. Bilingual in Spanish is a Plus.


Compliance


This position requires compliance with Greater Baden Medical Services (Health Center's) compliance standards, including its Standards of Conduct, Compliance Program, and policies and procedures. Such compliance will be an element considered as part of the Dental Hygienist's regular performance evaluation.


Travel


Must be able to drive between Greater Baden Medical Services, Inc. locations.