Dental Hygienist

Under general supervision of the Dental Hygiene Supervisor, the Clinical Registered Dental Hygienist performs advanced prophylactic dental treatment to patients with related medical and dental problems, such as diabetes, cardiac complications, severe caries, and periodontal disease. This position requires travel to satellite clinics:
Leupp, Dilkon and Mobile Dental Van. Utilizes established dental hygiene protocol and procedures. Uphold the principles of WIHCC’s Vision, Mission, and Value Statements. Maintains confidentiality of all privileged information at all times.

This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Maintains regular attendance and punctuality.

Performs a full range of professional dental hygiene duties for the treatment of commonly encountered dental disease or dental health problems, with an emphasis on oral health prevention and education.

Provides non-surgical periodontal therapy (scaling and root planning) as well as in-depth oral hygiene instruction, emphasizing oral hygiene instruction for home care and improved oral health.

Assesses periodontal and dental health and needs of patient; uses patient screening procedures to include medical history review, taking patient vital signs, dental charting and periodontal evaluation as required.

Delivers direct patient care to patients as assigned using established dental hygiene procedures; performs routine treatment procedures, such as child and adult prophies, scaling and root planning (SRP), x-rays, application of sealants and fluorides, selective polishing and related procedures.

Develops and implements individualized dental care plans for patients; performs patient education, patient and family teaching under the supervision of the dental hygiene supervisor and the general supervision of the attending dentist.

Takes digital dental radiographs; discusses x-rays accurately with the patients and other providers.

Provides non-surgical periodontal treatment (SRP) of patients that includes administration of local anesthesia under the general supervision of an attending dentist.

Provides chair-side assistance to dentist in the performance of special tests, procedures, and complex treatments.

Participates in and attends in-service educational programs to improve and learn new skills.

Makes impressions of patients' teeth for study casts; takes study model impressions and pours, trims and labels models, as needed

Develops and maintains a periodontal recall system for patients as determined by the dental hygiene supervisor. Reviews patients’ dietary habits and provides guidance on proper diet as it relates to oral health.

Documents dental history or chief complaint; records and reports pertinent observations and patient reactions to treatment, dental staff, etc., as appropriate. Assists with or institutes emergency measures for sudden adverse developments during treatment of patients.

Performs patient triage and initiates patient care as appropriate for walk-in patients, as needed

Assists in preparation of patient care areas, and in the patient admission, transfer, and discharge process, as required; prepares reports and assists as required with patient reception, telephone calls, routine triage, and other office duties.

Provides instructions for patients in oral hygiene techniques and post-operative instructions both verbally and in written form.

Maintains Universal Precaution guidelines at all times during patient care (mask, gloves, eye protection, gown) and washes hands before gloving and after de-gloving.

Follows and maintains all relevant federal, state, and institutional regulations, guidelines, policies, and standards…