Registered Dental Hygienist

Job Title: Registered Dental Hygienist

Department: Dental

Location: Community Health Center and School-Based Health Centers

Supervisor: Dental Director

FLSA Status: Full-Time, Exempt

SUMMARY

The Registered Dental Hygienist’s primary job function is to be responsible for managing dental hygiene and treatment of periodontal disease of patients under direction of staff dentists.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for assessing and obtaining clinical evidence of patient's level of periodontal health.
• Responsible for exposure and developing appropriate diagnostic radiographs.
• Develops appropriate treatment plan and sequence for treatment of existing periodontal disease.
• Provides treatment of acute and chronic periodontal conditions, including periodontal disease, gingivitis, ANUG, and acute periodontal abscess in conjunction with dentist.
  1. Treatments are to include mechanical and ultrasonic instrumentation (scaling and root-planning removal of calculus), supra-gingival removal of plaque and coronal polishing.
  2. Application of fluorides and other medicaments as necessary.
• Assists in identification of special patient needs, such as adjunctive antibiotics, rinses, or hygiene aids in conjunction with dentist.
• Educates patients in all aspects of oral hygiene, and consequences and treatment options for periodontal disease.
• Provide education, and limited off-site care as scheduled and within the scope of the clinic.
• Maintains dental hygiene treatment rooms in clean and orderly condition, stocked with appropriate treatment instruments and materials in conjunction with dental assistants.
• Records treatment in daily record, chart periodontal probing, and update hygiene tracking sheets as necessary in dental records.
• Delivers appropriate local anesthesia for patient comfort under supervision of dentist.
• Performs expanded function duties, (amalgam packing and carving, temporary fillings, alginate impressions, temporary crown cementation) as necessary under supervision of dentist.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs other duties and tasks as assigned by supervisor.
• Expected to meet attendance standards and work the hours necessary to perform the essential functions of the job.
• Conforms to safety policies, general housekeeping practices.
• Demonstrates sound work ethics, flexible, and shows dedication to the position and the community.
• Demonstrates a positive attitude, is respectful, and possesses cultural awareness and sensitivity toward clients and co-workers.
• Keeps customer service and the mission of the organization in mind when interacting with all clients, co-workers, and others.
• Employees are expected to embrace, support, and promote the core values of respect, integrity, trust, compassion, and quality which align with the Whitefoord mission statement through their actions and interactions with all patients, staff, and others.
• Conforms to Whitefoord policies and HIPAA regulations.
• Essential Technical/Motor Skills: Good eye/hand coordination and precision, manual dexterity and patience for minute movement, strong sense of aesthetics. Perform complex and comprehensive dental care on a variety of patients. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Must demonstrate ability to work with basic computer skills and MS Office products, such as Word, Excel, and Outlook. Ability to work in a fast-paced and often high-stress environment as well as the ability to adapt quickly to workload changes. Bilingual—English/Spanish preferred.
• Interpersonal Skills: Must demonstrate strong leadership and team building skills. Must have strong listening, written and oral communication skills, with ability to communicate clearly. Must have the ability to understand and respond effectively and with sensitivity to children. Must have a caring attitude, commitment to serving low-income people; desire to work with all types of people, ability to calm nervous patients. Train and evaluate assigned staff. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and efficient manner.
• Exposure to Hazards: Exposure to or use of sharps, potentially dangerous chemicals, exposure to body fluids/blood/tissue. Frequent exposure to communicable diseases, body fluids, toxic substances, medicinal preparations, radiation, and other conditions common to a clinical environment may routinely be encountered.

QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Education: Graduate from an accredited dental hygiene school.
• Certification/Licensure: Licensed in GA as a Dental Hygienist or eligible to receive licensure.
• Experience: One or more years of experience as a dental hygienist preferred, especially in a community or public health setting.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Must possess above average command of speaking and writing skills.

REASONING ABILITY: Must be able to exercise sound judgment and concrete thinking when on the spot decision making is required. Ability to seek supervision for emergencies and unusual circumstances. Must be able to participate in regularly scheduled meetings.

A list of physical demands, equipment, & work environment demands can be reviewed in Human Resources. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.