Dental Hygienist

Job Description

Job Description

Position Overview: 

The Hampton Roads Community Health Center is looking for dental hygienists to join their Dental Team. Under general supervision, this exempt position is responsible for providing dental hygiene services to pediatric and adult patients according to the Virginia Board of Dentistry. Reports to the Chief Dental Officer.

Key Responsibilities

• Cleans teeth, examines patients for oral diseases and provides other preventative dental care; educates patients on ways to improve and maintain good oral health.
• Assists the Chief Dental Officer in the assessment of Healthy Smiles Dental Center programs; assists with the preparation of monthly reports (Ryan White program, annual United Dental Surgery (UDS) dental report); and seeking future program revenue possibilities.
• Conducts weekly inspections to include but not limited to the sterilization process regarding cleaning, packaging, and transporting materials and the review of Quality Control indicator logs. Review data with staff during monthly meetings.
• Ensures all dental staff completes training prior to working independently; monitors performance testing and maintenance of all sterilizers; provides data and verifies all information entered in the electronic health records systems.
• Serves as educational advocate for residents of the community; participates in continuing education courses; and monitors progress in obtaining, utilizing, and evaluating grant funding.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Graduate of an accredited dental hygiene program and two (2) or more years of relevant dental hygiene experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Must have a valid Commonwealth of Virginia Dental Hygienist License. Must be Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certified.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Dental Hygiene – Knowledge of the habits and practices conducive to maintaining and improving the health of teeth and gums.
• HIPAA – Knowledge of the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to ensure the privacy and safeguard patient information. 
• Customer Service — Considerable knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer service. This includes meeting quality standards for service.
• Technology — Knowledge of general office equipment and personal computers to include word processing, spreadsheet, and related software. Comprehensive knowledge of office systems, practices, procedures and administration.

• Computer Skills – Utilizes a personal computer with word processing, spreadsheet, and related software to effectively complete a variety of financial tasks with reasonable speed and accuracy.
• Time Management - Plans and organizes daily work routine. Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establishes a personal schedule accordingly. Implements work activities in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules.
• Interpersonal Relationships – Develops and maintains cooperative and professional relationships with employees and all levels of management to include representatives from other departments and organizations.
• Communication – Ability to effectively communicate ideas and proposals verbally and in writing, to include the preparation of detailed logs which include numerical information.
• Judgment/Decision Making — Evaluates the best method of research and then exercises appropriate judgment in establishing priorities and resolving complex matters. Considers the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.