DENTAL HYGENIST

The Dental Hygienist is responsible for delivering direct dental care and associated services to patients under the clinical supervision of the dentist and the Medical Director. They will utilize established dental hygiene protocol and procedures.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Administrative Duties:

• Records, prepares and maintains patients chart information into NextGen, Provide Enterprise and other data system and/or patient’s records as required.
• Ensures patient documentation is fully completed.
• Ensures procedures are recorded accurately on superbills/billing sheets, patient record (hardcopy and electronic-NextGen, Provide Enterprise) for proper payment.   

Clinical Duties:

• Delivers direct dental care to patients as assigned.
• Assesses patient’s dental conditions and needs by reviewing medical/dental history.
• Records and reports pertinent observations as it relates to patient’s oral healthcare. 
• Records dental history or chief complaint in agency data system (i.e. NextGen, Provide Enterprise).
• Assists with taking and recording patient’s vitals at every visit.
• Performs various dental procedures (i.e. prophylaxis, radiographs, topical anesthesia, topical fluoride treatment application, placement of pit and tissue sealants, placement of periodontal dressings, removal of periodontal dressings, and suture removal). 
• Prepares (makes) impression of patients’ teeth for study casts when required. 
• Assists the dentist with discharge planning of patients. 
• Performs scaling and root planning, soft tissue curettage and study case impressions.
• Assists with the the development and implementation of individualized dental care plans,
• Provides and documents patient education (i.e. oral health, smoking cessation and nutrition).
• Assists dentist in performing special test, procedures and complex treatments. 
• Performs periodontal probing on patients as needed.
• Performs anesthetic injections if licensed to do so.  

Quality Assurance/Compliance Duties:

• Ensures that dental operations fully comply with Health Center and HIPAA requirements.
• Participates in quality assurance activities for compliance. 
• Ensures that online trainings are current as required (UltiPro and other trainings).
• Participates in Health Center developmental activities as requested.
• Other duties as assigned.

Culture of Service: 3 C’s

Compassion

Greets internal or external customers (i.e. patient, client, staff, vendor) with courtesy, making eye contact, responding with a proper tone and nonverbal language.

Listens to the internal or external customer (i.e. patient, client, staff, vendor) attentively, reassuring and understanding of the request and providing appropriate options or resolutions.

Competency

Provides services required by following established protocols and when needed, procure additional help to answer questions to ensure appropriate services are delivered

Commitment

Takes initiative and anticipates internal or external customer needs by engaging them in the process and following up as needed

Prioritize internal or external customer (i.e. patient, client, staff, vendor) requests to ensure the prompt and effective response is provided

Safety

Ensures proper handwashing according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

Understands and appropriately acts upon the assigned role in Emergency Code System.

Understands and performs assigned roles in the organization’s Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP).

Contact Responsibility

The responsibility for internal and external contacts is frequent and important.

Physical Requirements

This work requires the following physical activities: constant sitting, standing, talking in person, talking on the phone, hearing/ visual acuity and exposure to blood borne pathogens. Frequent walking and occasional bending, stretching and reaching may be required. Work is performed in office and medical settings. 

Other

Participates in health center developmental activities as requested.

Other duties as assigned.