Dental Hygienist

Dental Hygienist

The Dental Hygienist is responsible for treating and educating patients in the control and prevention of oral disease such as caries (cavities) and periodontal (gum) disease through proper oral hygiene and regular professional care.

Essential duties and responsibilities include:

• Reviews patient medical and dental history with the patient for currency and accuracy.
• Gives direct patient care by providing thorough and gentle prophylaxis, fluoride treatment, sealants, patient education, periodontal examinations, periodontal scaling and root planning, selective polishing, overhang removal, application of desensitizing agents, oral cancer examination.
• Takes blood sugar (when appropriate), and blood pressure on all adult patients and records in the chart.
• Takes and processes several types of dental x-rays.
• Practices within the scope of education, training, and personal capabilities.
• Uses local anesthetic as needed for patient comfort.
• Check on patient comfort during treatment; helps allay patient anxiety.
• Communicates with patients in an understandable and professional way.
• Responsible for clinical dental health education activities.
• Recognizes and responds to emergencies.
• Charts dental examinations in Dentrix.
• Updates patient health history in Dentrix.
• Makes accurate chart notes in Dentrix including the next visit and time needed.
• Charts and dates each patient's periodontal health.
• Records accurate notes and initial entries on the provided treatment.
• Collaborates with dentist when the case is appropriate for referral.
• Communicates with the assistants in keeping inventory stocked and ordered.
• Uses appropriate procedural coding.
• Complies with "Universal Precautions" for infection control.
• Maintains and fully understands the importance of patient confidentiality and HIPAA compliance.
• Follows job related Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Center for Disease Control and Prevention requirements.
• Functions at all times in a safe and professional manner.
• Keeps accurate patient records, contacts patients for periodic cleaning, and answers patients' questions on dental hygiene.

Supporting duties and responsibilities include:

• Assists in maintenance of equipment.
• Assists with inventory control.
• May perform dental assistant duties as needed.

Knowledge, skills and abilities include:

• Actively supports Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center's mission, vision and values.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for delivering on commitments.
• Adapting to Change: Accepts and adapts to change.
• Confidentiality: Maintains the highest level of confidentiality.
• Communicating Effectively: Shares information. Listens and involves others.
• Decision Making/Judgment: Approaches problems and decisions methodically and objectively.
• Delivering High Quality Work: Makes sure responsibilities central to the role meet all requirements and expectations.
• Demonstrating Initiative: Takes action on his/her own without being prompted.
• Results Orientation: Is focused on outcomes and accomplishments.
• Service Excellence: Has a desire to consistently provide a genuinely exceptional experience.
• Teamwork: Meets all team deadlines and responsibilities.

Physical, sensory, environmental qualifications include:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit for long periods of time and crouch in a forward position; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and see, talk or hear.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision acuity, hand-eye coordination, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• The employee must be able to work under stressful conditions and in a confined area with accuracy.
• Work is performed in a healthcare clinic and office setting. Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center is a tobacco-free campus.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

Work Experience: Must have two full years' experience as a dental hygienist.

Education, Certification and Licensure: BS degree from an accredited college or university with a major in dental hygiene or a bachelor's degree supplemented by completion of training in an accredited school of dental hygiene; or possession of an associate degree from an accredited school of dental hygiene. Must have a State of Alaska dental hygiene license and a State of Alaska Anesthesia license. Must have and maintain a current Basic Life Support certification.

Additional Skills & Knowledge: Bilingual preferred