Registered Dental Hygienist

Registered Dental Hygienist

The Dental Hygienist is a licensed oral health professional responsible for delivering preventive dental care, educating patients on oral hygiene, and supporting the dentist in diagnosing and treating oral conditions. The hygienist plays a key role in promoting lifelong oral health and ensuring a positive patient experience.

Responsibilities

• Work in partnership with the doctor to capture exam information to be used for implant treatment planning
• Sets up the treatment area in accordance with patient procedures and established protocols.
• Greets and comforts patients, assists them to the dental chair, and ensures they are properly covered and prepared for their hygiene appointment.
• Responds to questions and requests from patients and staff, providing clear and helpful information.
• Maintains dental hygiene instruments by sharpening, sterilizing, and selecting the appropriate tools for each procedure.
• Chooses the necessary materials and equipment for each visit after assessing the patient's oral health needs.
• Performs dental cleanings by removing plaque, tartar, and stains from teeth, including areas below the gumline, around implant crowns/bridges, and beneath full-arch fixed implant restorations.
• Screens for oral diseases by conducting oral cancer checks, palpating and visually inspecting gums and oral tissues, using probes to detect periodontal and peri-implant disease, assessing gum recession, and capturing and processing dental x-rays.
• Prevents tooth decay by applying fluoride treatments and other cavity-preventing agents.
• Supports patient comfort and function by creating temporary restorations, cleaning and polishing dentures and other removable appliances, placing and finishing amalgam fillings, and removing cement from crowns and bridges.
• Assists the dentist in managing dental and medical emergencies by keeping CPR certification current, monitoring emergency medications and oxygen, and maintaining an up-to-date emergency contact list.
• Instructs patients on oral hygiene practices, plaque control, and post-treatment care, and reminds them of upcoming hygiene appointments.
• Records all dental hygiene services, including vital signs, medical and dental histories, and detailed chart notes in patient records.
• Safeguards patient privacy and practice operations by keeping all information confidential.
• Keeps the work area safe and sanitary by following all safety procedures and regulatory guidelines.
• Upholds infection control standards to protect both patients and staff.
• Ensures dental equipment is functioning properly by performing routine maintenance, following manufacturer guidelines, troubleshooting issues, arranging repairs, and monitoring equipment inventory and updates.
• Manages dental supply inventory by tracking stock levels, anticipating needs, placing and following up on orders, and confirming deliveries.
• Uses dental resources efficiently to achieve optimal results while minimizing waste.
• Stays current in the field by attending continuing education courses, reading professional literature, building professional relationships, and participating in professional organizations.
• Supports the dental team by contributing to shared goals and completing related tasks as needed.

Requirements

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Dental Hygiene from an accredited program
• Active state license to practice as a dental hygienist
• CPR/BLS certification

Results

• Deliver high-quality, transformative dental care that meets or exceeds patient expectations
• Achieve strong patient satisfaction, contributing to Nuvia's 50,000+ 5-star Google reviews
• Generate consistent case outcomes through efficient workflows
• Contribute to the center's clinical productivity
• Support Nuvia's growth and reputation as a national leader in full arch dental implant services
• Foster a positive, collaborative work culture that aligns with Nuvia's values of; patient obsession, operational excellence, MVP teamwork, radical responsibility and eagerness to invent.

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.