Dental Hygienist

A Brief Overview

The Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) is responsible for the delivery of oral hygiene care and appropriate preventive services to the patients of the practice, as directed by the dentist. The RDH is the primary educational resource for patients regarding their oral hygiene and care, and is responsible for building trusting, long-term, relationships with patients.

• Understand and manage the daily hygiene schedule to ensure on-time appointments and the maintenance of production goals
• Manage clinical patient flow to ensure the most efficient and effective care for every patient
• Ensure that the appropriate clinical practice guidelines are consistently followed
• Carefully sterilize and disinfect all instruments and equipment
• Prepare treatment rooms, instruments, and tray setups for procedures
• Greet and prepare patients for hygiene appointments
• Effectively and safely capture intra- and extra-oral dental radiographs and photos
• Proactively assist the dentist during examinations
• Conduct work in compliance with organizational policies and procedures, safety, and regulatory guidelines
• Record medical and dental histories and vital signs of patients
• Accurately record treatment information, both completed and proposed, in patient files, in accordance with clinical record keeping standards
• Assist in the oral health management of patients of the practice
• Obtain and document baseline and continued oral hygiene and periodontal assessment data
• Maintain an organized and efficient clinical work-space; ensure instruments, equipment, and supplies are "at the ready" in case of unexpected need
• Participate in the achievement of patient satisfaction and office production goals by working efficiently and providing a high level of patient service
• Provide oral health education and counseling for all patients of the practice
• Counsel patients on nutrition and home-care, as related to oral hygiene
• Work toward the integration and coordination of appropriate dental and hygiene care with other health care professionals involved in the patient’s health care management
• Work closely with the Scheduling Coordinator/PSR and Manager to maintain the established hygiene recall practices; place any necessary telephone calls and e-mails to patients in order to maintain a fully productive hygiene schedule
• Maintain the proper level of hygiene product/material stock in accordance with established office standards
• Maintain an appropriate office environment

• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Complies with all policies and standards.
• For specific duties and responsibilities, refer to documentation provided by the department during orientation.
• Must abide by all requirements to safely and securely maintain Protected Health Information (PHI) for our patients. Annual training, the UH Code of Conduct and UH policies and procedures are in place to address appropriate use of PHI in the workplace.