Dental Hygienist

Dental Hygienist

The Dental Hygienist provides preventive and therapeutic dental services to patients within the scope of practice of Registered Dental Hygienists according to Massachusetts standards. The Dental Hygienist also maintains proper dental records and timely completion of billing information.

Reports To: Dental Director

FLSA Status: Exempt

Primary Responsibilities:

1. Provides quality dental hygiene care in all venues through which agency personnel provide dental care.
2. Assist with policy/procedure development in the dental department.
3. Implement and adhere to the policies of the organization, as well as those of funding sources and third party payers.
4. Attend all regular dental team meetings.
5. Implementation of the dental department's Quality Improvement Plan.
6. Maintain cleanliness and infection control measures in the dental clinic.
7. Maintain supply inventory for hygiene treatment.
8. Work with front desk personnel to efficiently schedule hygiene patients.
9. Seat and dismiss patients and set up operatories for procedures.
10. Chart all patients, including date, service rendered, instruction given, treatment planning, medical history updates, etc.
11. Perform clinical procedures within the scope of hygiene practice, including thorough and gentle prophylaxis, scaling, root planning and selective polishing when medically necessary, expose radiographs as prescribed by dentist, apply topical fluoride as appropriate.
12. Provide patient instruction and demonstrate when necessary, as delegated by dentist.
13. Maintain current CPR licensure.
14. Other related duties as assigned.

Must generally be present during operating hours at assigned CHCFC site(s). Must be available outside the health center's normal business hours when necessary.

Required Skills, Education & Experience:

Strong commitment to CHCFC Mission. Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Ability to work with a diverse population and sensitivity to low-income populations.

Education: At least two years of post-secondary education from an accredited dental hygiene program required. Must be certified to practice dental hygiene in Massachusetts.

Experience: At least one year dental hygiene experience strongly preferred.

Skills: Ability to work with a diverse population and sensitivity to low-income populations. Legible handwriting for notation in patient charts. Highly organized. Computer proficient in office management software.

Other: Bilingual/bicultural preferred; strong interpersonal skills.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, use the hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance, bend or push; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. Must be able to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Working Conditions:

While performing the required duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent when traveling between Health Center locations where medical care is provided. This position performs tasks that involve exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues.

This job description is subject to review in the light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the employee works. Performs other duties as assigned.