Dental Hygienist, RDH

Job Title:

Dental Hygienist

Position Code: I01E Exempt

Department:
Health Center Operations

Position Category (330):
Dental Hygienist (L17)

Position Category (Rphca):
Dental Hygienist

Union Exempt:
No

The following statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Under the general direction of the Dental Director, the supervision of the Clinical Dental Supervisor, the indirect supervision of each patient’s treating dentist, and the administrative direction of the Health Center Manager, the Dental Hygienist assesses patient needs, and plans and delivers direct dental care and associated services to patients. Utilizes established dental hygiene protocol and procedures.

• Assesses dental condition and needs of patient; uses patient screening procedures, to include medical history review, dental charting, and perio charting; takes patient vital signs as required;
• Delivers direct patient care to patients as assigned, using established dental hygienist procedures; performs routine treatment procedures, such as cleaning, polishing, expose/develop x-rays, patient education, application of sealants and fluorides, and related procedures;
• Develops and implements individualized dental care plans for patients; performs patient education, discharge planning, and patient/family teaching under the supervision of a qualified dentist;
• Provides chair-side assistance to dentist in the performance of special tests, procedures, and complex treatments;
• Makes impressions of patients' teeth for study casts;
• Documents dental history or chief complaint; records and reports pertinent observations and patient reactions to dental staff, as appropriate; documents lab procedures and ensures follow up on results;
• Assists with or institutes emergency measures for sudden adverse developments during treatment of patients;
• Performs patient triage and initiates patient care as appropriate for walk-in patients;
• Assists in preparation of patient care areas, and in the patient admission, transfer, and discharge process, as required; prepares reports and assists as required with patient reception, telephone calls, routine triage, and other office duties;
• Scrubs instruments and prepares them for autoclaving;
• Sanitizes and disinfects operatory, sharpens instruments, and restocks with necessary materials, instruments, and supplies;
• Writes prescriptions for endorsement by the dentist and calls them into pharmacy;
• Triages emergency patients for the dentist;
• Participates in site and organizational quality assurance and improvement;
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s or Associate’s Degree in Dental Hygiene;
• Two years of experience in a clinic or community health setting is preferred;
• Bi-lingual English/Spanish is preferred;

• Current licensure as a Dental Hygienist in the State of New Mexico;
• NM Board Certified (Registered);
• Anesthesia License – Board Certified;
• CPR certification required within 6 months of hire;

• Knowledge of Federal, State, and institutional regulations and guidelines for the provision of dental outpatient services;
• Knowledge of patient screening, charting, and medical history procedures and documentation;
• Ability to independently assess the nature and extent of dental, periodontic, and associated conditions and pathology in dental outpatients;
• Ability to perform a full range of established dental hygienist protocol and procedures;
• Ability to analyze medical records and prescribed protocol to formulate effective therapeutic treatment plans;
• Ability to communicate technical information to non-technical personnel;
• Ability to set up and prepare dental equipment and instrumentation in accordance with established regulations and guidelines;
• Knowledge and understanding of dental surgery and associated procedures, terminology, and techniques;
• Ability to independently perform emergency dental procedures;
• Knowl…