PHDENHYG – PUBLIC HEALTH DENTAL HYGIENIST - 3310

SUMMARY

Responsible for all tasks of a public Health Dental Hygienist, under the supervision of the Dental Center Dental Director. Provides preventive dental services within the centers. Provides clinical services, delivers individualized oral health care educations and home care. The registered PH Dental Hygienist will also be responsible for providing appropriate oral health information to individuals. 

JOB DUTIES

Evaluates each patient’s overall oral health, examining oral cavity for signs of periodontal disease, oral lesions, or possible cancers.

Assesses dental condition and needs of patient using approved patient screening procedures, including medical history review, dental charting, and periodontal charting.

Performs dental hygiene and procedures within the permitted scope of practice. Procedures may include prophylaxis, periodontal scaling and root planing, debridement, placing sealant material, performing coronal polishing, taking impressions of teeth for study models, diagnostic casts or athletic appliances.

Capable of exposing digital radiographs.

Applies fluoride treatments and varnish.

Applies protective sealants.

Documents dental care services by charting in patient electronic records.

Refers patients to dentist annually.

Educates patients in oral hygiene including proper tooth brushing, flossing, nutrition, and need for professional care.

Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of established oral hygiene concepts and periodontal therapies, dental procedures, clinic infection control procedures, cleaning and sterilization of instruments, tray set up, and dental materials.

Demonstrates commitment to the mission of the organization in promoting dental health.

Interacts positively with a diverse and occasionally demanding patient population.

Provides service in a manner that is appropriate for the patient’s age; demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to meet the patient’s physical, psychosocial, educational, and safety needs.

Fosters teamwork within and between individuals and MMC by promoting open communication, mutual respect, and shared decision-making to achieve quality patient care.

Functions competently within own scope of practice as a member of the health care team.

Values the perspectives and expertise of all health team members.

Adhere to all OSHA and HIPAA regulations.

Maintains CPR, radiology certificate, and CE credit hours to maintain Public health Dental Hygiene License.

Assist in all other areas of the office as needed.

Perform other duties as assigned.

 SPECIFIC JOB DEMANDS

Strength: Light Work - Lifting, Carrying, Pushing, Pulling 20 Lbs. occasionally, frequently up to 10 Lbs., or negligible amount constantly. Can include walking and or standing frequently even though weight is negligible. Can include pushing and or pulling of arm and or leg controls.

Reaching: Frequently - Extending hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction.

Handling: Frequently - Seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or otherwise working with hand or hands. Fingers are involved only to the extent that they are an extension of the hand, such as to turn a switch or shift automobile gears.

Fingering: Frequently - Picking, pinching, or otherwise working primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.

Talking: Frequently - Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word to impart oral information to clients or to the public and to convey detailed spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.

Hearing: Frequently - Perceiving the nature of sounds by ear.

Near Acuity: Frequently - Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less.

Accommodation: Frequently - Adjustment of lens of eye to bring an object into sharp focus. This factor is required when doing near point work at varying distances from the eye.

Color Vision: Frequently - Ability to identify and distinguish colors.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

High School Diploma or equivalent.

Current Registered Dental Hygienist with PA State Licensure. Either holds or is eligible for Public Health Dental Practitioner License.

State Radiology Certificate.

Current BLS Healthcare Provider card.

 WORKING CONDITIONS

Normal patient care environment with little exposure to excessive noise, dust, and temperature changes. Subject to certain patient care activities and exposure to communicable diseases. May be exposed to potential hazards such as chemical wastes, radiation (x-rays) body fluids and other possible infectious material.

DISCLOSURE

MMC commits to review, under the intent of this standard, and in coordination with medical professional opinion’s and physical demands job analysis performed by certified professionals, an individual’s ability to be reasonably accommodated within the role they are responsible and qualified to perform.

MMC is committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) and providing equal opportunity employment for qualified persons with disabilities. All employment practices and activities are conducted on a nondiscriminatory basis. Meadville Medical Center will follow any state or local law that provides individuals with disabilities greater protection that the ADA.

Every effort has been made to make your job description as complete as possible. However, this in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific tasks does not exclude them from the position if the task is similar, related, or is a logical assignment to the position, or is imperative for patient care and to meet emergency situations.