Dental Hygienist

The purpose of this position is to serve as Dental Hygienist to provide dental hygiene services to the designated population. The Dental Hygienist shall perform all aspects of dental hygiene, including dental prophylaxis on adult and pediatric patients, scaling/root planning for those with periodontal disease, taking quality x‑rays, assisting dentists with exams, documenting clinical observations, and ensuring compliance with federal, local, and state laws.

Emphasis is placed on implementing a preventive dental health program that includes oral health education, dental screening, fluoride varnish application, definitive treatment, and follow‑up care. The Hygienist uses the current data‑tracking system to track, recall, and evaluate services based on patient need and caries risk in accordance with ADA, IHS, and public health guidelines.

• Under the general supervision of staff dentists, administer oral prophylactic and dental hygiene treatments to patients with a variety of periodontal conditions. Treatments include dental prophylaxis, scaling/root planning, exposing x‑rays, and assisting with recording conditions and recommendations during exams.
• Perform additional procedures such as recording medical and dental histories, reviewing dietary habits, administering caries‑prevention agents, desensitizing root surfaces, root planning, taking and pouring impressions for study casts, removing sutures, and instructing patients in home‑care therapy.
• Coordinate hygiene recalls based on low, moderate, and high caries‑risk patients in accordance with IHS and public health guidelines.
• Plan, coordinate, conduct, and evaluate preventive oral health programs for various patient groups—including diabetic, prenatal, cancer, psychiatric, geriatric, alcoholic, and physically handicapped patients.
• Develop and revise oral health instructional materials and education techniques for patients of varying mental and physical capabilities.
• Use resources available within CIHA and research to develop and present lectures, demonstrations, and visual displays to patient groups, CIHA staff, and other hospital clinics.
• Provide in‑service training to dental and non‑dental personnel as needed.
• Provide dental hygiene services in community‑based programs.
• Develop procedural instructions for dental hygienists, assistants, aids, dietitians, nutritionists, and nursing staff throughout the hospital and CIHA properties.
• Attend clinic and dental staff meetings regularly to improve the oral hygiene program.
• Develop, document, and implement dental hygiene policies and procedures; evaluate them annually and propose revisions.
• Interpret program policies and procedures and applicable Medicaid and NC state dental hygiene laws for staff.
• Ensure all safety and infection‑control policies are followed.
• Responsible for dental hygiene quality assessment and strategic planning (long and short term).
• Support the mission, vision, strategic plan, and goals of the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority.
• Management reserves the right to revise or change job duties as business needs arise.

• Graduate of an accredited dental hygiene program with a degree in dental hygiene.
• Current license to practice dental hygiene in North Carolina.
• Maintain all certification and education requirements to renew NC license annually.
• Public Health Hygienist qualification in NC is advantageous.
• Preferred experience in planning and implementing dental health programs.
• Three months of experience to become proficient.

• Understanding of dental hygiene sciences, principles, practices, and procedures to conduct preventive activities.
• Knowledge of clinic services, patient population needs, and available resources to develop and carry out preventive dentistry programs.
• Skill in planning and presenting lectures and demonstrations using motivational and behavior‑change techniques.
• Knowledge of methods and techniques to disseminate dental health education to the public.
• Demonstrated oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to utilize various computer programs.
• Knowledge of OSHA, CDC, EPA, and state regulations for safety compliance.