Dental Hygienist at Medical Services in Fort Logan

Dental Hygienist Position at Colorado Mental Health Institute at Fort Logan

The position exists to provide professional dental hygiene care directly to patients, to provide consultation and education to healthcare staff, and to ensure seamless dental clinic operations ies include:

Dental Hygienist:

• Remove deposits, accretions, and stains from teeth by scaling with hand, ultrasonic, or other devices from the surfaces of the tooth
• Smooth and polish natural or restored tooth surfaces
• Apply preventative materials such as the application of fluorides, sealants, and other topical agents for the prevention of oral disease
• Perform patient screenings such as patient history, oral health assessments, dental charting, etc.
• Take dental radiographs using dental radiographic equipment
• Prepare study casts
• Assist dentist with dental procedures
• Administer topical anesthesia
• Educate, instruct, and counsel healthcare personnel and patients
• Screens dental radiographs and determines if new radiographs need to be taken
• Uses professional dental hygiene standards to evaluate and assess patient complaints and conditions to make care recommendations.
• Creates a therapeutic program specific to the patient to address dental hygiene issues.

Dental Clinic Management:

• Triage dental care requests. Evaluates urgency, determines the level of need and arranges the clinic schedule accordingly. Consults with dentist when clinically indicated
• Schedule and manage clinic patient flow
• Coordinate, track, and ensure all inspections, certifications (e.g, equipment, CDPHE radiation registrations, etc.) remain up-to-date.
• Order and procure supplies
• Monitor expiration dates
• Maintain SDS book, ensuring SDS sheets are current and updated as necessary
• Ensure equipment is inspected, serviced, and repaired as necessary after obtaining any necessary approvals
• Monitor budget
• Maintains current documentation of patient procedures and services using hospital systems (i.e., electronic health record, dental electronic record, etc.)
• Determines and adapts processes to ensure infection control and prevention standards are met
• Performs proper safety and infection control procedures such as disinfection/sterilization of dental tools, glove use, mask use, goggle use, etc.
• Reviews electronic health record workflows, adapts processes to ensure completed documentation in both the electronic health record and the dental health record (duplicate systems must be maintained).

• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Education/Licensure/Certification/Experience:

• Current, valid licensure as a dental hygienist from the Colorado Dental Board

Substitutions

No Substitutions

Special Qualifications:

• Active Colorado Dental Hygiene License, a Local Anesthesia Certification & BLS

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience providing comprehensive dental hygiene services including prophylaxis, periodontal assessments, scaling and root planing, and patient education.
• Experience performing conventional dental radiographs, periodontal charting, and documenting findings in electronic dental or medical record systems.
• Experience assisting with dental examinations and collaborating with a dentist to support diagnosis and treatment planning.
• Experience maintaining infection control and sterilization procedures in accordance with CDC guidelines, Joint Commission standards, and established dental clinic safety practices.
• Experience working independently in a small dental clinic environment with limited staff, coordinating daily dental hygiene services in collaboration with a dentist.
• Experience coordinating patient scheduling, appointment management, and daily clinic workflow in a dental setting.
• Experience supporting the day-to-day operations of a dental clinic, including maintaining dental equipment, instruments, and supplies to ensure readiness for patient care.
• Experience providing dental hygiene services in a public health, hospital, correctional, or institutional healthcare setting.
• Experience working with individuals with mental health conditions, developmental disabilities, or complex medical needs.
• Strong knowledge of infection control, sterilization, and…