Registered Dental Hygienist

Job Title: Dental Hygienist

Reports to: Director of Dental

Department: Dental

FLSA Class: Exempt - FT

Updated: April 2024

Summary: The Dental Hygienist is responsible for the direct provision of oral hygiene and appropriate preventive services to dental patients of Hunter Health Clinic under general supervision of a dentist and using established dental hygiene procedures.

Job Responsibilities:

• Provides direct patient care and dental services as trained, licenses, and assigned. Assesses dental condition and needs of patient using approved patient screening procedures, including medical history review, dental charting, and periodontal charting.
• Responsible for personal compliance with all applicable federal, state, local and HHC's 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, workplace safety, public health and confidentiality.
• Performs independent procedures as delegated and directed by a dentist in accordance with state regulations and law as well as HHC Dental Department protocol and directive.
• Assists in maintaining all Dental Department areas in compliance with Dental Department directives and policies as well as HHC policies and procedures relative to infection control, clinic business, and patient care of the Dental Department.
• Aids in integration of dental preventative and hygiene services with other health care professionals involved in the patient's care management.
• Assist with or initiate emergency measures for sudden adverse developments during treatment of patients.
• Organizes and performs preventative oral health presentations at on-site and off-site locations as assigned.
• Travels when necessary to meet operational needs, including satellite clinic locations and local schools.
• As directed by a supervisor, performs related and/or necessary tasks to achieve organizational and programmatic goals and objectives.
• Assist in training dental assistants and other dental staff.
• Assist with the development of HHC and community dental hygiene Outreach and education program.
• Attends designated meetings as requested (HHC Board, Dental, etc.)
• Continuing education (dental-related college courses, workshops, seminars, etc.) and submit reports to the Chief Executive Officer and the Dental Director.
• Meet required number of encounters and users as designated. Demonstrate commitment to the mission of the organization in promoting dental health.
• Interact positively with a diverse, sometimes difficult, and demanding patient population. Provide service in a manner that is appropriate for the patient's age; demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to meet the patient's physical, psychosocial, educational and safety needs.
• Read, write, and maintain patient records and related administrative documentation.
• Utilize the requisite tools, systems, technology and equipment in the collection of patient data, records management and collections.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks and problem solving.
• Demonstrates a high level of customer service both internally and externally.
• Utilizes excellent communication skills to improve teamwork, maintain a high level of customer service for our patients, improve processes, resolve conflicts, and maintain positive working relationships.
• Demonstrates a high level of multi-tasking, organizational skills, time management, and accuracy by monitoring output and accepting feedback on performance.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Graduation from an accredited school of dental hygiene.
• Unrestricted license to practice oral hygiene in the state of Kansas.
• Current CPR (BLS) certification.
• Must have ECP-II
• Ability to maintain appropriate clinical privileges required.
• FTCA coverage or private professional malpractice insurance obtainable.
• A familiarity with or interest in Community and Public Health is preferred.

Physical and Mental Demands of the Job:

All employees, including those who become disabled, must be able to perform the essential job function listed below, either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation. The functions listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. These essential functions document does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

• Talking: The ability to speak effectively
• Average Hearing: The ability to hear average conversations and respond accordingly.
• Repetitive Motion: The employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is required to stand; walk; reach with hands.
• Finger Dexterity: Using primarily just the fingers to make small movements such as typing, picking up objects and pinching fingers together
• Average Visual Abilities: Specific vision abilities required by this job include; close vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus.
• Working Conditions: Works in a well-lit, climate controlled environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually high. Potential exposure to infectious disease is possible.
• Physical Strength: Ability to move freely. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
• Mathematical Ability: Ability to add and subtract two digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10's and 100's.