Dental Hygienist- Open Until Filled

Dental Hygienist

The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska is a federally recognized Tribe with its ancestral homeland located in Niobrara, NE. The Tribe does not have a reservation in the classic definition; rather, the Ponca Restoration Act defined its jurisdiction as a 'Service Delivery Area' comprised of 15 counties throughout parts of Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota. Within its Service Delivery Area, the Tribe offers a broad range of health, social, educational, and cultural services.

This position is under the direct supervision of the Supervisory Dentist. This position requires professional knowledge in the field of dental hygiene and aspects of the clinic dental program.

Registered Dental Hygienist (Tier I):

• Perform advanced prophylactic and preventative dental procedures in the treatment of patients with a variety of oral health issues.
• Administer local anesthesia under the direct supervision of the dentist.
• Record medical and dental histories, review patient dietary habits, administer caries prevention agents, desensitizes root surfaces, root planning, sealant application, take and pour impressions, instruct patients in home care therapy along with proper diet, and management of the hygiene schedule.
• Plan, coordinate and conduct community based dental prevention programs.
• Develop and present oral health lectures, demonstrations and visual displays to targeted populations.
• Provides in-service training to staff; develop procedural instructions for clinic staff in the delivery of oral health care to patients. Uses the AAP grading and staging system.
• Proctor dental hygiene students from local dental hygiene programs.
• Regularly attends clinic and dental staff meetings to make improvements in the oral hygiene program.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Public Health Dental Hygienist – Fluoride Prescription Certification and/or Minor Denture Adjustments (Tier II):

• Has all the same essential responsibilities and duties as a Registered Dental Hygienist, but will also have the authority, with approval from the on-site dentist and with appropriate licensure, to:
• Perform preliminary charting and screening examinations.
• Conduct oral health education, including workshops and in-service training on dental health.
• Prescribe fluoride mouth rinses and products to patients with dental caries when indicated.
• Make minor denture adjustments for prosthodontic patients when indicated.

Expanded Scope Function Dental Hygienist (Tier II):

• Has all the same essential responsibilities and duties as a Registered Dental Hygienist, but will also have the authority, with approval from the on-site dentist and with appropriate licensure, to:
• Place interim therapeutic restorations.
• Prescribe fluoride mouth rinses and products to patients with dental caries when indicated.
• Make minor denture adjustments for prosthodontic patients when indicated.
• Monitor, administer and titrate nitrous oxide.

Expanded Function Restorative I & II Dental Hygienist (Tier III):

• Has all the same essential responsibilities and duties as a Registered Dental Hygienist, but will also have the authority, with approval from the on-site dentist and with appropriate licensure, to:
• Place single surface restorations in a preparation from a PTN Licensed Dentist (Level I Permit).
• Place multiple surface restorations in a preparation from a PTN Licensed Dentist (Level II Permit).

The employee has supervision over dental hygiene students.

Physical requirements include carrying/lifting up to 5 pounds, frequently; up to 10 pounds, regularly; and up to 25 pounds, occasionally. Visual acuity, speech and hearing; hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to drive an automobile and operate computer keyboard and basic office equipment; subject to carrying, lifting, twisting and reaching to perform essential job functions. Working conditions are primarily in an office environment with occasional travel to other locations.

Tier I Minimum:

• Currently licensed to practice as a dental hygienist and be licensed to administer local anesthetic in any state or territory of the United…