PUBLIC HEALTH DENTAL HYGIENIST (PHDH)

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• Department: Dental \| Reports to: Dental Director \| Non-Union
  
  

Position**

This is dental work at the practitioner level in the care and treatment

of the teeth and gums of patients in the Macoupin County Dental Health

Clinics and/or mobile units. Employees in this position provide

educational, preventative and therapeutic, and intra-oral services.

Employees perform hygienist duties independently, such as examining

teeth and other oral structures, cleaning teeth, applying sealants, and

topical fluoride and performing radiological procedures under the

collaborative of a General Dentist. Employees additionally maintain

records of dental treatment. Employees may be assisted by support staff

in the dental clinic. Employees in this position must work at multiple

health centers and/or mobile units and on varying shifts as assigned

based on health center needs and must work independent of the

collaborating dentist. Staff in this position must perform practices of

a Public Health Dental Hygienist without authorization, assignment or

examinations by a dentist, but under policy, protocol, and collaboration

from a General Dentist. Reports to the Dental Director.

**ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK**

• Works independently with patients
• Oral Hygiene instructions, group classes on oral health, nutrition
  
  

counseling related to oral health

• Assesses dental condition and needs of patient including examining
  
  

head, neck, and oral cavity for disease; uses patient oral cancer

screenings, conducts dental charting and periodontal charting for

diagnosis and treatment

• Delivers direct patient care to patients using delineated public
  
  

health dental hygienist procedures per collaborative; takes

impressions of teeth; administers local anesthesia under the direct

supervision of a dentist, performs treatment procedures such as oral

prophylaxis, scaling, root planning, curettage, polishing, places

chemotherapeutic medicaments and subgingival agents, conditions

teeth for and applies protective topical agents, sealants and

fluorides and related procedures within scope of practice for public

health dental hygiene practitioners

• Takes and processes dental digital x-rays using imaging software;
  
  

operates the electronic health records system to submit billing

requests and to manage existing health center patient treatments

• Develops and implements individualized dental care plans for
  
  

patients; performs patient/family education including good oral

hygiene, flossing and brushing techniques, and nutritional

counseling; performs discharge planning

• Make referrals; follow up on referrals
• Assists with emergency measures for sudden adverse developments
  
  

during treatment of patients

• Assists in preparation of patient care areas; attends meetings,
  
  

prepares reports and assists as required with triage and/or office

duties such as scheduling

• Orders and maintains dental hygiene instruments and supplies
• Instructs children and adults in the health center, at schools and
  
  

in the community or proper dental care and oral hygiene; promotes

maintenance or oral health between visits

• Fluoride varnish or silver diamine fluoride applications for
  
  

pediatric patients

• Works closely with the Dentist and/or Registered Dental Hygienist as
  
  

needed

• May direct activities of support staff and may provide Health
  
  

Education training on a quarterly basis

• Knowledge of all Macoupin County Public Health personnel policies
  
  

and procedures

• Contributes to the goal that patients are treated with courtesy and
  
  

respect in a professional manner by all dental staff

• Performs other duties as required or assigned