Relief Dental Hygienist

Location: Pullman Practice
Position Type: On‑call
Schedule: As needed
Expected Hiring Range: $66.33 per hour

The Dental Hygienist works in collaboration with a dental team to provide dental care and education to patients. The Dental Hygienist will utilize interpersonal skills to motivate and partner with patients in maintaining oral health wellness and prevent oral disease. All duties and functions are performed within the parameters of the state Dental Practice Act, Willamette Dental mission, evidence‑based treatment philosophy and core values.

• Apply the dental hygiene process of care (Assessment, Dental Hygiene Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation) as a framework for delivery.
• Gather accurate patient data for systemic and oral comprehensive assessment; perform at least:
  • Review of medical, dental and social history
  • Take or update blood pressure
  • Perform extra‑oral and intra‑oral exams
  • Chart and record dental and periodontal findings
  • Conduct risk assessment through patient interviewing
  • Expose and evaluate diagnostic radiographs per treatment guidelines and ALARA principles
  • Document assessments in the Electronic Dental Records (EDR) system
• Communicate findings with the doctor of record to establish a dental hygiene treatment plan.
• Discuss treatment plan, additional costs, and obtain patient consent.
• Render appropriate dental hygiene care such as:
  • Explanation of procedure, alternatives, risks, and patient questions (PARQ)
  • Prophylaxis (Prophy)
  • Scaling and polishing
  • Scaling & root planing
  • Oral and nutritional health education
  • Smoking cessation counseling
  • Local anesthesia or nitrous oxide when necessary
  • Preventative and therapeutic fluoride, sealants, and restorations per state scope of practice
• Engage and educate patients as partners in care; recommend self‑care based on individual risk and capabilities.
• Continuously evaluate and counsel patients regarding oral health; recommend updates to the treatment plan.
• Recommend patient products according to needs and symptoms.
• Perform infection control procedures, including disinfection, sterilization, and use of barrier techniques.
• Communicate effectively with the dental team and patients as an educator and advocate.
• Adhere to infection control policy and guidelines; use PPE and engineering controls appropriately.
• Assist coworkers, maintain the operatory, and sharpen instruments.
• Follow Willamette Dental’s PPE policy, including N95 respirators and other required PPE.
• Be flexible to travel to other locations within a reasonable range when required by business needs.
• Maintain reliable and predictable attendance as essential to service delivery.

Requires graduation from an accredited dental hygiene program; a bachelor’s degree is preferred.

• Current BLS certification required.
• Current nitrous oxide (N2O) permit required.

The base pay offered will be based on education, experience, geographic location, and internal equity. The position may also be eligible for incentive pay.

Medical, dental, and vision insurance; tuition reimbursement; flexible spending accounts; 401(k) with 5% match; accidental death and dismemberment insurance; life insurance; voluntary disability insurance; commuter benefits; two complimentary pairs of clinical scrubs; employee assistance program.

Primary tasks involve sitting and/or standing, with occasional walking, bending, stooping, and carrying light items such as papers and supplies. Use of a computer and standard office equipment is required.

Willamette Dental is an equal opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, veteran status, disability, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

This job description is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities but defines the scope and function of the position. The position may involve exposure to PHI and requires compliance with HIPAA.