Dental Hygienist

Job Description

Job Description

Job Description: Dental Hygienist
Responsible To :  Staff Dentist
Position Summary: A full time, exempt position responsible for the direct provision of oral hygiene and appropriate preventive services to dental patients of the center. The Registered Dental Hygienist will also be responsible for providing appropriate oral health information to individuals and groups.

 
Specific Duties and Functions:
1.     Assists in the oral health management of all clinic patients.
2.     Obtains baseline oral hygiene assessment data based upon accepted principles of oral hygiene and periodontal care.
3.     Records patient-hygienist transactions as they occur in the patient’s dental record so that the dental record accurately and completely reflects the nature of the contact, the condition of the patient and the care or treatment provided.
4.     Provides oral health education and appropriate individual counseling for all center dental patients.
5.     Provides clinical oral hygiene services including dental prophylaxis, scaling, sealant application and fluoride application consistent with accepted professional practices and standards and in compliance with applicable state law and the center’s clinical protocols.
6.     Integration of appropriate patient dental hygiene care with other heal care professionals involved in the patient’s health care management.
7.     Organizes and performs preventive oral health presentations at on-site and off-site locations.
8.     Assists in the provision of technical assistance and health education in the community as requested.
9.     Participates in the PI program of the Dental Department of the center.
10.  Performs independent procedures as delegated and directed by a dentist in accordance with state regulations and law as well as Dental Department protocol and directive.

11.  Assists in the maintenance of all Dental Department areas in compliance with Dental Department directive and policies as well as center policies and procedures relative to infection control, exposure control and safety issues.
12.  Receives and places necessary telephone calls consistent with professional matters, clinic business and patient care of the Dental Department.
13.  Assists with various clinical and administrative functions of the center as appropriate and time permits.
14.  Insures the proper disposal of all contaminated or potentially contaminated materials in accordance with Dental Department directive and center policy as well as state federal regulations(s).
15.  Complies in full with the center’s Exposure Control Plan.
16.  Adheres to HIPAA guidelines
17.  Travels when necessary to meet operational needs.
18.  As directed by a supervisor, performs other related and/or necessary tasks to achieve organizational and programmatic goals and objectives.
19.  Responsible for personal compliance with all applicable federal, state, local and center rules, regulations, protocols and procedures governing the practice of dental hygiene and the clinical provision of dental hygiene services as well as those relating to, but not limited to, personnel issues, work place safety, public health and confidentiality.

 
Education and Training:
1.     Graduation from an accredited school of dental hygiene.
2.     Ability to establish and maintain effective professional relationships with fellow healthcare providers.
3.     Ability to be clinically fluent in Spanish preferred.
4.     Excellent interpersonal and written communications skills required.
5.     Ability to maintain appropriate clinical privileges required.
6.     FTCA coverage or private professional malpractice insurance obtainable
Licensure and Credentials:
1.     Unrestricted license to practice Oral Hygiene in the State of Texas
2.     Current CPR (BLS) certification

 
Skills and Abilities:Requires a comprehensive knowledge of oral hygiene care in outpatient settings. Knowledge of the principles and practice of modern oral hygiene and periodontal patient care is necessary.  The Registered Dental Hygienist must be cognizant of the public health, social and economic factors which impact on the overall health, and more specifically the oral health of their patients.  The Registered Dental Hygienist must be able to creatively work with other health care professionals from a variety of disciplines to achieve maximal program effectiveness and patient benefit. The ability to creatively solve problems through individual and/or programmatic action is an important part of this position.

 
Typical Physical Demands:Prolonged sitting or standing may be required.  Those physical movements and the degree of mobility, manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination normally associated with the practice of modern oral hygiene will be performed on a repetitive basis.  The ability to distinguish letters and symbols, as well as the ability to utilize telephone, computer terminals and copiers is required. Work under stressful conditions as well as irregular hours may be required. Frequent exposure to communicable diseases, body fluids, toxic substances, medicinal preparations, radiation and other conditions common to a clinical environment may routinely be encountered.