Registered Dental Hygienist (Temporary)

Job Description
The Registered Dental Hygienist will work under the general supervision of the Lead Dentist to provide dental cleaning services and general preventive dental care as permitted by licensure from the State of California. They will work as a team with other dental staff to support efficient flow of operations to ensure the highest level of patient care. The Registered Dental Hygienist will help plan and implement programs to increase dental awareness, teach oral hygiene, and promote community preventive activities to NVIH patients. This position may require travel between Northern Valley Indian Health, Inc. sites to help fill staffing vacancies and/or shortages.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS : The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list, but rather to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) will be required to perform a variety of duties listed, including but not limited to:

• Provide prophylaxis, scaling, root planning and curettage services to our patients.
• Provide oral hygiene instruction to patients. Aid in the development of programs to disseminate information on preventative dentistry and oral hygiene.
• Provide fluoride treatments for patients. Help develop and implement programs to promote fluoride, i.e., fluoride tablet program, community water fluoridation.
• Apply pit and fissure sealants.
• Charting of oral conditions.
• Evaluate patients with periodontal disease by use of diagnostic skills, periodontal probe and periodontal evaluation forms.
• Aid the dentists in development and implementation of periodontal treatment plans for clinic patients.
• Perform expanded duties under direct supervision of a dentist to the extent the law permits.
• Keep current with new techniques and philosophy related to preventive dentistry and periodontics.
• Perform the following supportive tasks to ensure efficiency of patient flow:
• Sterilize instruments.
• Set-up trays.
• Support inventory management and request supplies as necessary to maintain par levels.
• Maintain a clean, orderly and well stocked operatory.
• Know and implement all infection control procedures established for the clinic.
• Actively attend general and dental staff meetings.
• Willing to travel to other clinic locations when needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Experience and Skills
The following knowledge, skills, and abilities are required for an employee to successfully perform their duties.

• Graduate of an accredited Dental Hygiene Program.
• Licensed by the State of California to practice as a Registered Dental Hygienist.
• One-year experience in a private or clinical practice, preferred.
• Radiation safety certification for California.
• Perform quality dental services per NVIH standards.
• Ability to plan work duties to ensure dental clinic efficiency.
• Ability to effectively function and participate within a team environment
• Exhibit empathy and customer service to diffuse and manage conflict within the team and with patients or their representatives.
• Ability to engage in problem solving and effectively communicate solution-based feedback.
• Reliable transportation.