Dental Hygienist

Overview

The dental hygienist is responsible for promoting dental health by providing periodontal treatment and education. Other responsibilities include coordination with the dental team for patient care, quality improvement, maintaining dental records, policies and procedures, equipment maintenance, recare, periodontal maintenance, and special projects. Reports to the Dental Director.

Duties and Responsibilities

Patient Care Functions

• Prepares and disinfects operatories for dental hygiene treatment
• Take radiographs
• Examine and provide periodontal treatment through prophylaxis or scaling and root planning
• Apply fluoride
• Educate and provide oral hygiene instructions
• Maintain electronic dental records through documentation and charting
• Manage dental and medical emergencies
• Coordinate patient care with the dental team
• Perform assisting, sterilization, recare and clerical duties during hygiene down times
• Maintain dental hygiene supplies, instruments, and equipment
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned

Quality Improvement/Administrative Functions

• Provides orientation for all new dental hygiene volunteers and students
• Assures that dental hygiene students and volunteers comply with policies and procedures
• Assures that dental hygiene students and volunteers accurately document clinical services
• Tracks patient encounter data necessary for reporting outcome measures to granting agencies
• Collaborate with the Dental Director in developing, implementing, and monitoring practice’s quality improvement plan and policies and procedures where needed for dental hygiene

Minimum Qualifications

• Active BLS/CPR certification
• Active license to practice dental hygiene by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners

Preferred Qualifications

At least one year of clinical experience in dental hygiene