Dental Hygienist

DESCRIPTION:

Primary responsibility is to provide technical aspects of dental hygiene which involve prophylactic dental treatments and oral health education.

SUPERVISION:
Directly supervised by the Chief Dental Officer.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Requires prolonged hours standing, bending, stooping and may be required to move up to 25 pounds.

FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

* Provide dental prophylaxis and fluoride treatments.

* Screens and sets preliminary chart for diagnosis and treatment by dentist.

* Performs pit and fissure sealants, scaling and root planning.

* Performs cavitron scaling as indicated by dentist.

* Takes radiographs on patients as requested by dentist.

* Records all treatment in charts.

* Places dental patients on a recall system upon completion of prophylactic treatment and may be required to help in scheduling of patients.

* Follows OSHA standards and guidelines for sterilization procedures.

* Maintains handpieces and scalers according to manufacturer's guidelines.

* Sharpens and maintains all scalers.

* Maintains and restocks the hygiene operatory in conjunction with casting inventory protocols.

* Advises dental director of equipment and supply needs.

* Provides, as directed by dental director, oral dental health education to patients, parents of pediatric patients, school age children or other community organizations at designated sites.

* Must participate in Center's Peer Review Process

* May also be asked to supervise dental/dental hygienist students for teaching purposes according to qualifications of hygienist.

* May be asked to help in training personnel for OSHA requirements and infection control according to qualifications of hygienist.

* Must wear required personal protection when handling exposed instruments and equipment.

* Performs other duties as assigned.