Dental Hygienist

Dental Hygienist

Jamestown Family Dental Clinic - Sequim, WA 98382

Join Our Team at Jamestown Family Dental Clinic!

Are you an experienced and dedicated Dental Hygienist looking for your next career move? Look no further we're seeking talented individuals to join our dynamic team at Jamestown Family Dental Clinic.

Whether you prefer the stability of part-time work or the flexibility of per-diem, we have opportunities for you.

At Jamestown Family Dental Clinic, we take pride in our diverse practice, featuring both a general dentist and a pediatric dentist. We're excited to extend a warm welcome to another Dental Hygienist who can help us provide exceptional dental hygiene services. In this role, you'll play a crucial part in delivering preventive dental care, fostering oral health awareness, and educating our patients.

Why Choose Jamestown Family Dental Clinic?

Nestled on the picturesque shores of Sequim Bay, our clinic is at the heart of the community, serving local residents and Jamestown Tribal citizens. We offer a comprehensive range of dental procedures, including preventative, restorative, endodontics, prosthodontics, implants, and oral surgery. Our patient base is as diverse as our services, encompassing tribal and community members, as well as both young and adult patients. We accept both state and private insurance.

If you're passionate about dental hygiene and committed to making a positive impact on the oral health of our community, we encourage you to apply and become a valuable part of our Jamestown Family Dental Clinic team. Your expertise and dedication will be highly appreciated here.

Essential Functions

Clinical:

• Examines patient's oral cavity including the mouth, throat, and pharynx, and records conditions of the teeth and surrounding tissues.
• Refers patients to the dentist who have anomalies such as decay, defective fillings, oral abnormalities, or periodontal disease.
• Applies desensitizing agents and other topical agents as needed.
• Performs complete oral prophylaxis including the following: seats and drapes the patients; performs supragingival and subgingival scaling using cavitron and universal scaling instruments to remove calculus deposits, accretions, and stains; polishes teeth using rubber prophy cups, and prophy paste; and applies topical fluorides, other anticariogenic agents and occlusal sealants. Cleans and polishes removable dental appliances worn by patients. Administers topical and local anesthesia. when necessary.
• Exposes, develops, and mounts dental radiographs including bite-wings, panoramic and periapical images. Interprets dental radiographs to determine areas of calculus deposits, decay, oral abnormalities, and periodontal bone loss involvement. Selects and arranges X-rays as teaching devises for viewing by patients.
• Records medical history and treatment administered.
• Maintains integrity of dental instruments to ensure sufficient working conditions. Sharpens dental instruments when necessary.
• Disinfects operatories and sterilizes dental instruments as stated in the Dental Clinic Policies and Procedures, the Tribes Public Health and Safety Plan and the Tribe's Exposure Control Plan.
• Prevents cross contamination of dental biohazards by adhering to proper disinfecting and disposal techniques of dental equipment and materials set by the Dental Clinic Policies and Procedures.
• Instructs patients, individually and in groups, in proper oral hygiene care using material such as teeth models, displays, toothbrushes, dental floss, disclosing tablets, mirrors, educational brochures and videos etc.
• Demonstrates proper oral hygiene techniques in brushing, flossing, and use of necessary periodontal aids.
• Adhere to all JST and JFDC policies and procedures, including but not limited to standards for safety, and work practices as described in the JFHC Occupational Exposure Control Plan and HIPPA
• Maintain and ensure patient confidentiality

Preventive:

• Teaches the common causes of tooth decay periodontal disease, and oral health and the link between general diet and overall health. Special focus is given to baby bottle tooth decay, nutrition, and oral health for pediatric patients.
• Contributes articles to the monthly tribal newsletter and provides community health education relating to dental care.
• Acts as a liaison with Jamestown S'Klallam youth programs and the Sequim School District.
• Assists with the purchasing of educational promotions and incentives for children.
• Oversees community dental education activities as such events as the tribal health fair(s).

Administrative:

• Aid in compliance of instruction of hazardous material communications and infection control procedures.
• Assist in developing and implementing Dental Clinic policies and procedures that will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of services.
• Assist with training of dental assistants and orientation/training of on-call dental assistant staff.
• Assist with Dental Program goal setting and planning.
• Attend dental staff meetings.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Washington State Dental Hygienist License
• Basic Life Support (BLS) and First Aid certification for Healthcare providers
• Annually completes 15 clock hours of continuing education (CE)
• Thorough understanding of the operations of a professional clinic
• Knowledge of dental and oral anatomy, oral physiology, oral histology, radiology and nutrition, the principles and techniques of preventive dentistry, and the instruments and materials to perform procedures including prophylactic treatment and make appropriate referrals to the dentist.
• Skill and dexterity in performing prophylactic procedures such as scaling, curettage and root planning.
• Skill in providing individual and group instruction to assist patients in understanding the cause and prevention of dental disease and to motivate patients toward the practice of good oral care.
• Basic personal computer skills required as well as the ability to learn dental office scheduling and electronic tooth and periodontal charting software, word processing and other software programs.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills including effective verbal and written communication
• Ability to travel locally and regionally as assigned
• Valid Washington State Driver's License
• Must be able to successfully pass criminal background investigation

Preferred Qualifications:

• American Indian/Alaska Native preferences apply