Dental Hygienist

Job Summary

Assesses patient needs, plans and delivers direct dental hygiene care and associated services to patients. Utilizes established dental hygiene protocol and procedures.

Job Duties

Assesses dental condition and needs of patient; uses patient screening procedures, to include medical history review, dental charting, periodontal charting and oral cancer screenings; takes patient vital signs as required.

Delivers direct dental hygiene patient care to patients as assigned, using established dental hygienist procedures; performs routine treatment procedures, such as cleaning, polishing, radiographs, application of sealants and fluorides, fabrication of appliances, teeth whitening and related procedures.

Provides local anesthesia to dental hygiene and dental patients as needed.

Develops and implements individualized dental care plans for patients; performs patient education, discharge planning, and patient/family teaching under the supervision of a dentist.

Provides chair-side assistance to the dentist in the performance of special tests, procedures, and complex treatments.

Makes impressions of patients' teeth for study casts, mouth guards or trays, as needed.

Utilizes dental software proficiently to document the patient visit. Documents dental history or chief complaint; educates patients on dental needs; records information in software and reports pertinent observations and patient reactions to dental staff, as appropriate; documents lab procedures and ensures follow up on results. Ensures performed procedures are documented in dental software and follow up appointments are scheduled.

Assists with or institutes emergency measures for sudden adverse developments during treatment of patients.

Performs patient triage and initiates patient care as appropriate for walk-in patients.

Assists in preparation of patient care areas, and in the patient admission, transfer, and discharge process, as required; prepares reports and assists as required with patient reception, telephone calls, routine triage, and other office duties.

Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned by Team Leader or Provider.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or Certificate/Licensure in state you are working
• Certification to provide local anesthesia in state you are working
• CPR Required. Competencies
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and RDB regulations, policies and guidelines for the provision of dental outpatient services.
• Ability to analyze dental records and prescribed protocol to formulate effective therapeutic treatment plans.
• Ability to independently assess the nature and extent of dental, periodontic, and associated conditions and pathology in dental outpatients.
• Ability to perform a full range of established dental hygienist protocol and procedures
• Knowledge of patient screening, charting, and medical history procedures and documentation.
• Knowledge and understanding of dental surgery and associated procedures, terminology, and techniques.
• Ability to set up and prepare dental equipment and instrumentation in accordance with established regulations and guidelines.
• Ability to communicate technical information to non-technical personnel.
• Ability to independently perform emergency dental procedures.
• Knowledge of patient admission, triage, transfer, and discharge procedures and documentation. Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be regularly required to do the following.
• Occasionally lift up to 25 pounds and/or move, push/pull objects up to 50 pounds.
• Perform detailed work, using arms, hands, and fingers to manipulate the required office equipment.
• Sit for long periods.
• Use repetitive motion of the hands and arms.
• Use good eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity.
• Use close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Work environment involves some exposure to hazards or physical risks, which require following basic safety precautions
• Will work with blood-borne pathogens and will require OSHA training Work Environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals and risk of radiation.

The noise level is usually moderate. Since everyone within the practice works on a time schedule governed by patients’ appointments, the work and general environment can become somewhat hectic at times.

Therefore, it is essential that the employee is able to, both physically and emotionally, effectively handle the normal anxieties associated with the job. Periodic travel to various locations may be required.

Disclaimer: Nothing in the job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time Acknowledgment I have received, reviewed and fully understand the job description for Orthodontic Assistant.

I further understand that I am responsible for the satisfactory execution of the essential functions described herein, under any and all conditions as described

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $30.00 - $53.00 per hour

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift
• 12 hour shift
• 8 hour shift

Work Location: On the road