Allied Health - Dental Hygienist

Profession: Health Services

Specialty: -

Duration: 13 weeks

Shift: Days

Hours per Shift: 20

Experience: One year of dental hygiene experience required

License: Must be licensed and/or certified as a dental hygienist in the state of employment

Certifications: -

Must-Have:

• Dental hygiene
• Scaling
• Teeth cleaning
• Polishing
• Fluoride application

Description:

The Dental Hygienist provides dental hygiene services.

Effectively delivers a dental health education program to inmates/residents.

Performs scaling, cleaning and polishing of teeth.

Provides fluoride applications, places dental sealants and takes impressions for study casts.

Reviews patient medical/dental history and assesses for dental decay and dental disease.

Conducts preliminary oral cancer screenings and reports findings to the Dentist as required.

Develops and presents an ongoing dental health education program.

Instructs inmates/residents in preventive dental techniques.

Operates intra-oral and panoramic x-ray equipment to produce digital and film-based images.

Controls medication, syringes and other dental supplies or equipment.

Maintains inventory as required by established procedures.

Inspects the dental unit for items that can be used as contraband by inmates/residents.

Securely stores supplies and equipment or provides for their safe disposal.

Disinfects and cleans the dental unit and sterilizes instruments after each treatment.

Utilizes appropriate sanitation methods.

Documents and enters patient treatment activities, including chart notes and dental file information.

Maintains security, privacy and confidentiality of dental records through HIPAA compliance.

Reads, analyzes, comprehends and interprets dental and technical procedures, governmental regulations, and legal documents.

Reviews status of inmates/residents for completion of all necessary intervention, treatments, and services.

Attends scheduled staff meetings and promotes communications and the proper flow of relevant information.

Facilitates the accreditation of the dental program by providing the required level of efficiency and approved, appropriate dental services.

Remains alert at all times and reacts quickly, efficiently, and calmly in emergency and other high-stress situations.

Prepares and disseminates safety and accident reports as required by policies or procedures.

Takes appropriate action in cases of serious and unusual incidents and emergencies.