Dental Hygienist

EOE Statement:
Blue Ridge Medical Center is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

*** Sign on and retention bonuses are available for qualified applicants.

The Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) is responsible for delivering direct dental care and associated services to patients under the professional supervision of the Dentist. He/she will also provide support to the front office and deliver quality and compassionate care to every patient. The RDH is responsible for ensuring adherence to all dental office policies and procedures to include but not limited to JCAHO, CILA and OSHA regulations.

Performs other duties as assigned by Dental Director and must demonstrate a sincere dedication and loyalty to the mission, vision and core values of BRMC/BRDC.

• Build good rapport with patients to assure patients and responsible parties have a pleasant experience before, during, and after dental treatment is given. Assist Dentist during patient’s dental procedure and directs patient to the appropriate staff member and area following treatment to complete the checkout process.
• Educate patients with oral hygiene instructions and provide educational material as appropriate to the care delivered.
• Verify patient’s medical history, medications, allergies, and chief complaint and review medical and social history to include dental and oral hygiene issues prior to dental treatment. Record information accurately in eClinical
  
  Works (eCW).
• Obtain blood pressure and pulse on patients age 18 and older. Obtain body weight on pediatric and adult patients. Document results in eCW.
• Complete screening procedures such as assessment of patient’s oral health conditions to check for oral abnormalities, review of medical history, and perform oral cancer screening and head and neck inspection. Chart dental conditions appropriately.
• Perform operatory set-up by instruction or as anticipated for dental procedure.
• Clinical support to dental provider as needed during procedures. Obtain dental x-rays as instructed. Anticipatory knowledge and awareness is necessary.
• Document patient information, treatment plan, procedures, and progress notes in Open Dental.
• Obtain impressions of patient’s teeth for casts for study casts.
• Remove hard and soft deposits of stains, calculus, and plaque from all surfaces of teeth. Scaling and hand scaling, and root planning using appropriate instruments.
• Apply fluorides and other cavity preventing agents to teeth arrest dental decay.
• Direct patients to the appropriate staff member and area following treatment to complete the checkout process.
• Maintenance, inspection, and sterilization of dental instruments, equipment, and operatories. Maintain competence in the use of various clinical instruments, technologies, machinery, and equipment.
• Participate in local community events to provide dental education and raise awareness about available dental care at BRDC.

• Graduate of an accredited school of dental hygiene and active licensure as a Dental Hygienist in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Current CPR certification or ability to obtain within three (3) months of hire required. Certification to administer nitrous oxide and local anesthetic preferred. Previous experience desired.
• Ability to communicate with a broad range of people; pleasant, courteous manner and appearance; attention to detail and accuracy; strong knowledge and understanding of established dental procedures; and spell and comprehend medical/dental terminology.
• Strong knowledge of computer programs, spreadsheets, and applications. Advanced data entry skills in a PC environment.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) skills a plus.

Strong verbal and written communication skills to communicate effectively and clearly with people of diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Organizational and interpersonal skills are essential. Ability to multi-task and work effectively in a team oriented environment.…