DENTAL Hygienist - Family Health Center of Harlem

Brief Description

The employee performs a full range of dental hygienist assignments in a full-functioning capacity. Work is performed under the supervision of a licensed dentist and considerable independent judgment is required to provide appropriate dental services.

• Performs oral prophylaxis on patients, scaling, root planning and polishing the teeth to remove stains, plaque, and calculus from tooth surfaces using hand scalers, ultrasonic cleaning instruments and motor-or-air-driven dental polishers.
• Examines the mouth to determine if there are dental problems such as conditions of periodontal disease or tooth decay, charts findings, and reports same to dentist.
• Instructs patients in proper methods of tooth brushing and flossing techniques, care and cleaning of dentures, maintenance of oral health, and/or proper usage of non-prescription medication.
• Maintains accurate and up-to-date patient records in Dentrix.
• Creates and maintains dental treatment charts and records in Dentrix.
• Exposes and processes dental radiographs using bite wings, periapical films, and related equipment reads dental radiographs and alerts dentist to observations.
• Practices and maintains proper infection control procedure, including cleaning and sterilization of dental instruments and dental equipment.
• Maintains dental instruments and equipment in proper working order; follows procedures to maintain security of medications, instruments, and needles.
• Applies topical fluorides, topical anesthetics, and desensitizing agents to teeth and/or gums.
• Places sealants on non-cavitated first molars.
• Types charts and enters procedure ADA codes on a timely manner.
• Conducts health screening by performing an oral examination, taking panoramic x-rays, examining and charting existing dental conditions.
• Maintains patient/employee confidentiality in the management of information.
• Administrative/Managerial:
• Collaborates with social services department and other staff to provide community outreach for dental services and dental education.
• Participates and collaborates with the department in the development and implementation of CQI projects.
• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care, based on physical, psychosocial, educational, safety, and related criteria, appropriate to the age of the patients served in assigned area.
• Age Specific Competencies (check all patient opulation served).
• Neonate/Infant ¦ Pediatric? Adolescent all Adult? Geriatric? Not Applicable.
• Identifies physical, behavioral and emotional characteristics typical for the age group.
• Modifies approaches based on patient age-specific needs and responses to treatment.
• Provides care for patients based on age-specific needs.
• Uses communication techniques, which are age appropriate.
• Organizational/Managerial
• Is punctual and maintains a satisfactory attendance record.
• Is appropriately attired for the office.
• Demonstrates reliability and trustworthiness.
• Effective in taking action without being told (taking initiative).
• Manages time and other resources to meet established goals within the agreed upon time frames.
• Demonstrates flexibility in the acceptance and completion of work assignments.
• Participates in the department's performance improvement activities.
• Maintains patient/employee confidentiality in the management of information.
• Observes the Health Care System's compliance policies.
• Contributes to a cooperative, friendly and mutually supportive work environment: a "team" player.
• Educational/Professional Development
• Participates in the development of other staff members.
• Meets regulatory, licensure and annual health assessment requirements.
• Identifies learning strengths and needs.
• Utilizes learning resources.
• Communication/Relationship
• Demonstrates a professional, courteous, and respectful attitude in dealing with patients, families and significant others.
• Displays courtesy, tact and patience during interactions with all members of the hospital staff.
• and extended community.
• Demonstrates a professional, courteous and respectful attitude in dealing with clinical practice staff.
• Answers telephones in an appropriate, professional manner, make patient appointments and schedule patients in the appropriate appointment slot.

Possession of an associate's degree in dental hygiene.

• Minimum of two (2) years' experience as a Dental Hygienist preferred.
• Demonstrated interpersonal, leadership, supervisory, clinical, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated interest in employment in a community health center.
• Bi-lingual Spanish preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with dental electronic medical record preferred.

• NYS License

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job,…