Dental Hygienist

Dental Hygienist Full Time at Ozarks Community Health Center (OCHC) located in Stockton, MO
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Salary: $40.00/hr – $52.00/hr. (Base range; actual salary based on skills and experience.)

Individual is cross trained to provide dental hygiene, dental assisting, and clerical support services, consistently contributing to department operations and communications. Acts as the primary hygiene for OCHC dental staff and volunteer dentists, performs duties in line with the OCHC mission, and fulfills additional assigned responsibilities.

• Degree in Dental Hygiene
• Licensed and registered as a dental hygienist in the State of Missouri

• Currently licensed and registered as a dental hygienist in the State of Missouri
• Current BLS for Healthcare Providers CPR certification
• Local infiltration and block anesthesia license

• Bring patient back for dental appointment in a timely manner.
• Enter or update patient health history and medication at each appointment to ensure all information is current.
• Complete patient intake at each appointment, ensuring all information is gathered and entered correctly.
• Perform a complete oral cancer screening at each hygiene appointment.
• Examine gums using a Perio probe to document recessed gums, bleeding, and pocket measurements on all patients aged 13 years and above annually.
• Ensure all patients are current on their periodic exams and x‑rays.
• Process and develop clear diagnostic radiographs.
• Provide oral health education to all patients.
• Chart existing restorations on all new patients and update watches, treatment, and dental charting at each visit to include the correct provider.
• Perform a thorough cleaning, removing build‑up, calculus, and stain from teeth and beneath margins of gums.
• Inform dentist of notable items, events, or changes to patient’s oral health, medication list, or medical history.
• Ensure sealants are completed on first and second molars on children and, when applicable, apply sealants during their hygiene appointment before applying fluoride.
• Accurately document and create treatment plans and discuss treatment and cost with the patient or parent/guardian.
• Ensure the correct ICD‑10 codes are entered into the dental superbill before walking the patient to the front desk.
• Have follow‑up information noted in Expanse for the front desk to ensure the correct appointment is scheduled for the next visit.
• Accurately add ICD‑10 codes into Open Dental to ensure they match the dental superbill.
• Accurately create and document all information pertaining to the appointment in Open Dental with minimal corrections.
• Complete all dental notes in Open Dental before leaving each day to allow the provider to review and sign in a timely manner.
• Maintain a high level of infection control through appropriate barriers, clothing, and compliance with OCHC sterilization and disinfection policies.
• Ensure set‑up (instruments, air/water syringe, low/high speed suction, infection control barriers, etc.) for patient visit is complete before seating patient.
• Maintain a full component of supplies in operatories at all times.
• Safely and efficiently operate equipment and other processing devices, including radiographic equipment, autoclave, statim, ultrasonic, curing lights, suction devices, hand pieces, vacuum, and operatory units, and notify provider or administrative lead of any issues promptly.
• Assist in dental screenings internally/external for special events/visits.
• Work well with other dental staff as a team, monitor all chairs, assist in turning over rooms, setting up rooms, pulling back patients, completing intakes, and/or x‑rays to help other staff.
• Wear radiation badge at all times and update badge monthly using Instadose reading on the iPad.
• Accurately document and create all referrals per provider instruction, ensuring insurance is accepted and all required and current x‑rays are taken.
• Ensure all clearance letters, pre‑medication, or any other documentation needed are in patients’ chart and documented appropriately in Open Dental before appointments.
• Ensure all follow‑up calls to patients, other clinics, or medical providers are completed in a timely manner and documented.
• Assist with anesthetics or any other duties requested by the dental provider in a timely manner.
• Willingly travel to other dental locations in the area to fill in, assist, or attend meetings.
• When downtime occurs, help others out or find work to stay busy.
• Attend and actively participate in provider meeting.
• Obtain signatures on dental consents for S&RP (per quad) or refusal for S&RP.

Entry level

Full‑time

Health Care Provider

Hospitals and Health Care

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