Dental Hygienist

Job Description

This position is contingent on contract award.

The Dental Hygienist delivers prescribed preventive and prophylactic dental hygiene care and supports access to oral health services within the assigned care setting. The role performs dental sick call assessment under the general supervision of a licensed dentist, participates in dental instrument processing, sterilization and monitoring procedures, clinic cleaning, infection control practices, and chairside assistance when necessary, and completes clerical and administrative tasks required to maintain compliance with applicable policies, procedures, and accreditation standards.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide direct dental hygiene care as prescribed to patients in accordance with applicable policies and accreditation standards.
• Assess dental sick call patients under the general supervision of a licensed dentist.
• Perform sterilization and disinfection procedures, including instrument processing and spore testing, in accordance with policy and Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidance.
• Take digital and/or film dental radiographs as ordered, including bitewing, periapical, and panoramic x-rays.
• Follow radiation safety protocols and applicable guidance of the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Council on Radiation Protection, and the American Dental Association to support patient and provider safety.
• Perform and document daily sharps and instrument inventory at the beginning and end of each workday.
• Complete electronic and paper recordkeeping functions in accordance with program policies and training requirements.
• Assist the dentist with procedures, including operatory set up and clean up.
• Collect, organize, and submit dental data to the Regional Dental Consultant in a timely manner.
• Attend monthly dental teleconferences and required organizational and local duty station meetings.
• Support the local medical unit and dental program through assigned duties such as equipment maintenance, supply and equipment acquisition, performance improvement activities, and training support.
• Maintain awareness of and adhere to all applicable policies, procedures, directives, operational memoranda, and accreditation standards.
• Demonstrate cultural sensitivity in all communications with coworkers and patients and support an inclusive and respectful work environment.
• Complete required compliance education and all assigned training, competency testing, and client-specified requirements.
• Travel periodically, when assigned, to support dental care at other sites.
• Complete required organizational compliance education, including assigned requirements that are client-specified, for Joint Commission Healthcare Staffing Services certification or other regulatory bodies.

This list is non-exhaustive, and the role holder maybe required to undertakeadditionalduties that are not specifically listed above.

Required Licensure / Certification:

• Must have and maintain an unrestricted and current license as a Dental Hygienist issued by the state of Texas or the ability to obtain one.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

Required

Education and Experience:

• Graduate from a Dental Hygienist program located in a State, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory that is accredited by the American Dental Association and the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) in the year of the applicant’s graduation.
• Must have 1-year recent work experience in the United States as a licensed practicing Dental Hygienist.
• Licensure permitting administration of local anesthesia preferred.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of dental science such as oral anatomy, oral physiology and histology, the principles and technique of four-handed dentistry, periodontics, and dental materials.
• Must adhere to requirements for safety, infection control, quality assurance, clinical documentation, and data management.
• Ability to properly use equipment, materials and supplies in diagnostic and treatment procedures.
• Ability to communicate proficiently in English (verbal and written).
• Ability to respond to and assist with medical emergencies.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural and…