Dental Hygienist

Dental Hygienist

The Dental Hygienist promotes dental health by completing dental prophylaxis; providing oral cancer screening, radiographic studies; charting restorations, periodontal pocket measurements; performing procedures in compliance with the Dental Practice Act; gathering and updating patient information.

What You Will Do:

• Welcome and seat patients in a professional, calming manner, ensuring they are properly draped and prepared for treatment.
• Follow all established safety and procedural protocols to ensure a smooth transition into dental hygiene care.
• Maintain patient appearance and ability to masticate by fabricating temporary restorations; cleaning and polishing removable appliances; and removing cement from crowns and bridges.
• Counsel patients on oral hygiene techniques and post-treatment aftercare.
• Capture high-quality X-rays and maintain accurate medical and medication histories.
• Fabricate molds for crowns and prosthetics while providing efficient chair-side support during examinations.
• Deliver comprehensive preventative treatments to optimize long-term patient oral health.
• Ensure productivity in accordance with annual Leadership encounter and monthly reports.
• Document dental hygiene services by recording vital signs and medical and dental histories; charting in patient records.
• Maintain safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Complete dental prophylaxis by cleaning deposits and stains from teeth and from beneath gum margins.
• Detect disease by completing oral cancer screening; feeling and visually examining gums; using probes to locate periodontal disease and to assess levels of recession; exposing and developing radiographic studies.
• Support Dentist in managing dental and medical emergencies by ensuring that emergency drugs and oxygen supply are readily available.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED plus graduation from a two-year ADA- accredited school of Dental Hygiene.
• Licensure to practice dental hygiene from any state, territory or province recognized by the Council on Education of the American Dental Association is required. If Licensure is from other than the State of New Mexico, endorsement by the New Mexico State Board of Dentistry is required.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to balance, bend, lift, carry, and pull up to 20 lbs.
• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods, typically longer than four hours.
• Flexibility to work a varied schedule, including evenings, weekends, or as needed.
• Manual dexterity and ability to use hands and fingers for feeling, grasping, and operating office equipment.
• Adequate hearing ability for communication and monitoring office environments.
• Good vision for reading documents, operating office equipment, and observing surroundings.
• Capability to stoop, crouch, crawl, or kneel as necessary for office tasks.
• Ability to talk clearly and effectively for communication.
• Ability to walk and move around the office environment.
• This position involves possible exposure to bloodborne pathogens and infectious materials.

Exposures:

• Airborne Pathogens
• Blood borne Pathogens-Category I
• Chemicals
• Electrical current; machine vibration; moving parts.
• Muscular and muscular strain
• Noise
• Odors, fumes, toxicants, explosive materials, and chemicals
• Temperature
• Vision and hearing strain

What We Offer:

• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• 7 Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Time
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 100% Employer-Paid Basic Life Insurance
• Voluntary Employee Supplemental Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Education Reimbursement
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Who We Are:

As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and 501(c)(3) nonprofit, El Centro Family Health is dedicated to providing affordable, accessible, and high-quality healthcare to the people of Northern New Mexico. Our mission is to enhance the quality of life in our community by delivering primary care and health education through a network of clinics and collaborative programs. At El Centro, we are committed to offering vital health services in a compassionate, supportive, and patient-centered environment.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

El Centro Family Health is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace for all.