SWLA CENTER FOR HEALTH SERVICESJOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Dental Hygienist
DEPARTMENT: Dental
SUPERVISED BY: Chief Dental Officer

SUMMARY:

Promotes dental health by completing dental prophylaxis, providing oral cancer screening and
radiographic studies; charting conditions of decay and disease; performing procedures in
compliance with the dental practice act. This position responsible for assisting the Dentist(s) in
the direct provision of primary care dental services to patients of the center.

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

1. Associate degree from an accredited Hygiene program.
2. State hygiene license.
3. Current CPR certificate.
4. Current on Hepatitis B vaccination.
5. Ability to administer local anesthetic agents.
6. Able to use an x-ray machine.
7. Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
8. Comfortable using computers for a variety of tasks.
9. Knowledgeable about oral hygiene and dental health.
10. Ability to attend to multiple tasks at the same time and to prioritize assignments and
responsibilities to ensure compliance with established deadlines and protocols.
11. Effective oral and written communication skills in English are required. Effective oral
communication skills Spanish preferred.
12. Current CPR (BLA) required.
13. Requires a comprehensive knowledge of dent techniques and procedures for all phases
of general dentistry.
14. Knowledge of modern dental materials. Their storage, handling and applications are
required.
15. The Dental Hygienist must be cognizant of the expectations and concerns of the center’s
dental patients and be able to respond in an empathetic and professional manner. The
ability to work with persons from a wide diversity of social, ethnic and economic
backgrounds is necessary. The Dental Hygienist must be able to creatively work with
other health care professionals from a variety of disciplines to achieve maximal results
for the center’s patient forma, a system of integrated primary health care.
16. The ability to distinguish letters and symbols as well the ability to utilize telephones,
computer terminals and copiers is required.
17. Assume additional duties when necessary to ensure quality health services are being
rendered by the center and all other duties assigned to you.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Prepares treatment room for patient by adhering to prescribed procedures and
protocols.
2. Prepares patient for dental hygiene treatment by welcoming, soothing, seating, and
draping patient.
3. Provides information to patients and employees by answering questions and requests.
4. Maintains instrumentation for dental hygiene treatment by sharpening, sterilizing, and
selecting instruments.
5. Selects materials and equipment for dental hygiene visit by evaluating patient's oral
health.
6. Completes dental prophylaxis by cleaning deposits and stains from teeth and from
beneath gum margins.
7. Detects disease by completing oral cancer screening; feeling and visually examining
gums; using probes to locate periodontal disease and to assess levels of recession;
exposing and developing radiographic studies.
8. Arrests dental decay by applying fluorides and other cavity- preventing agents.
9. Maintains patient appearance and ability to masticate by fabricating temporary
restorations; cleaning and polishing removable appliances; placing, carving, and finishing
amalgam restorations; removing cement from crowns and bridges.
10. Helps dentist manage dental and medical emergencies by maintaining cpr certification,
emergency drugs and oxygen supply, and directory of emergency numbers.
11. Educates patients by giving oral hygiene and plaque control instructions and
postoperative instructions; providing reminders of time of next dental hygiene visit.
12. Documents dental hygiene services by recording vital signs and medical and dental
histories; charting in patient records.
13. Maintains patient confidence and protects operations by keeping information
confidential.
14. Maintains safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules,
and regulations.
15. Protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols.
16. Ensures operation of dental equipment by completing preventive maintenance
requirements; following manufacturer's instructions; troubleshooting malfunctions;
calling for repairs; maintaining equipment inventories; evaluating new equipment and
techniques.
17. Maintains dental supplies inventory by checking stock to determine inventory level;
anticipating needed supplies; placing and expediting orders for supplies; verifying
receipt of supplies.
18. Conserves dental resources by using equipment and supplies as needed to accomplish
job results.
19. Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops;
reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in
professional societies.
20. Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
21. Prepare operatory for patient treatment as per Dental Department protocols and
dentist’s specific instructions, including greeting patients and escorting to the operatory.
22. Expose and develop radiographs, knowledge of radiograph software.
23. Compliance with Dental Department directives and protocols relative to Infection
Control, Exposure Control and Safety Issues.
24. Maintenance of dental equipment, supplies, clinical area, and thorough knowledge of
dental charting software.
25. Place and receive necessary telephone calls consistent with professional maters, clinic
business, and patient care.
26. Assist with various clinical and administrative functions of the center, including
appropriate utilization of teamwork.
27. Ensure sterility of all re-usable dental instruments in accordance with protocols,
including necessary documentation.
28. Ensure proper disposal of all contaminated or potentially contaminated materials.
29. Use of Personal Protective Equipment and universal precautions and maintain a sterile
and neat working environment.
30. Attendance to work, processing patients in a timely manner, and can perform job duties
with minimal supervision.
31. Supply ordering an inventory record keeping.
32. Reports to work on time and is ready to work in designated work area.
33. Review daily schedule to set up appropriate trays and instruments.
34. Works effectively with all disciplines and corrective criticism from supervisors.
35. Desire to want to lean more or further one’s dental knowledge by application of herself.

MISSION AND CUSTOMER SERVICE:

1. Demonstrate the Mission and acts in ways that advance the best interest of the
customers entrusted to our care. Positively represents SWLA Center for Health Services
(SWLA) in the workplace and the community.
2. Present a professional image: apparel and appearance are appropriate according to
SWLA department dress code.
3. Demonstrate effective communication and listens attentively to the customer and
promptly acts upon requests with consideration for patient privacy. Keep the customer
informed about their care and treatment in a comfortable atmosphere.
4. Respect the gifts and talents (the diversity that co-workers bring to their jobs) of each
other. Demonstrates effective communication and assists co-workers as necessary.
5. Respect the privacy and confidentiality of the customers we serve, our physicians, coworkers
and the community.
6. Practices safe work habits and maintain a safe environment for self, co-workers,
patients, and visitors.
7. Work collaboratively to solve problems, improve processes, and develop services. Acts
as an advocate for our customers.
8. Complies with organization/department policies and procedures, including but not
limited to confidentiality, safety, cooperation/flexibility and attendance.
9. Understands and complies with applicable federal/state laws and Standards of Conduct
as related to assigned job duties.
10. Participates in departmental or organizational quality. Continuous performance
improvement activity.