Dental Hygienist - Guadalupe,AZ Job Tempe area,Arizona USA,Dental / Dentistry

Job Title:

Denial Hygienist

The Denial Hygienist performs advanced prophylactic and preventive dental procedures in the treatment of patients with dental problems. This position assists in the planning, coordination and evaluation of the Tribal oral health program for optimum utilization of Tribal resources.

The Denial Hygienist:

Completes preliminary dental examinations on new dental patients, examines teeth, and surrounding tissues for evidences of plaque, periodontal disease, and charts findings; inspects mouth and throat for evidence of disease such as oral cancer.

Interprets routine X-rays to identify tooth structures, calculus, abnormalities such as cavities, and deep periodontal pockets.

Reviews patient's medical record and dental history for evidence of past and present conditions such as medical illnesses and use of drugs, which may complicate or alter dental hygiene treatment.

Refers abnormalities such as cavities, traumatic occlusion, and suspicious lesions to the dentist.

Prepares dental hygiene treatment plans for patient including assessment of the problem, type of oral hygiene care required, and the sequence of appointments needed to complete treatment.

Performs deep sub gingival scaling, root planning, and curettage under local anesthesia. Polishes the teeth and applies stannous fluoride for hypersensitivity and caries prevention.

Educates the patient on the need for daily oral health and fluoride treatment.

Instructs patients at chair-side in oral hygiene, brushing and flossing techniques, and periodontal aids, which increase the amount of stimulation to the periodontium. Plans and adapts instructions in home care techniques, tailoring them to the oral hygiene needs, and oral problems of individual patients.

Explains to patients the causes of periodontal disease and tooth decay and the importance of diet as it relates to oral and systemic health.

Assists in the Maricopa Managed Care Program in the review of dental treatment plans and dental bills for quality assurance and utilization study.

Instructs nurses, health educators, social workers, nursing assistants, community health representatives, and other medical staff in proper techniques of oral hygiene applied to the young patients, the bedridden, handicapped, disabled, and chronically ill patient.

Presents lectures and demonstrations in oral health care to various patient and community groups such as diabetics, hemodialysis patients and drug or alcohol dependent patients, using slides, denture models, toothbrushes, charts, and other dental education materials.

Implements fluoridation application program for tribal children in various locations including Traditional Yaqui communities in the Phoenix area.

Maintains patient’s record of treatment. Records oral conditions of the teeth and surrounding tissue, progress and therapy notes, appointments and the number of patients treated, and type of treatment administered.

Performs other duties of a similar nature or level as requested by supervisor or director.

Patient load at a minimal is 8 cases daily, unless cleared by Dental Director.

Must coordinate/schedule extra hygiene programs within clinical setting i.e. PCC hygiene rotation, NAU hygiene rotation.

Responsible for infection control weekly monitoring and overall clinical OSHA guidelines.

Assists in the development and implementation of the employee Non Tribal dental Practice.

Coordinates supplies, ordering, purchase orders, restocking etc.

Participates in Tribal functions as needed and any other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of oral anatomy, oral physiology and histology; the principles and techniques of preventive dentistry and the dental instruments and materials to perform a variety of specialized diagnostic, prophylactic and preventive dental hygiene procedures;
Oral pathology and periodontology sufficient to recognize and provide the necessary appropriate prophylactic and therapeutic dental hygiene treatment;
Dental hygiene science including the principles, practices and procedures of dental hygiene to develop and implement the dental preventive program;
Health behavior and health educational…

Dental Hygienist - Guadalupe, AZ