Dental Hygienist

NEEDED: Dental Hygienist

LOCATION: 1900 West Sunshine Street, Springfield, MO 65807

SCHEDULE:

• Monday – Friday, 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM,
• 6 hours per day, minimum of two days per week,
• Estimated hours: 24 to 60 hours per two-week period

QUALIFICATIONS:

• US Citizen
• Must have a minimum of six (6) months of experience providing Dental Hygienist services. 
• Must be a graduate of a school of allied health/technical program (or equivalent).
• Must hold a current certification and registration in General Dentistry and Periodontology, as a Dental Hygienist.
• Training must include dental radiology and radiology safety.
• Shall be certified in Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) in accordance with the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association
• Shall have the ability to read, understand, count, fluently speak, and legibly write the English language.
• Bilingual oral communication skills and experience in a clinical setting are desirable.

JOB DUTIES:

• PATIENT CARE
• Provides direct patient care and receives guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff members for only the most complex patients and requires only general supervision from a Dentist.
• Performs patient medical assessment (e.g., medical/dental history, social history, vital signs, full periodontal assessment and charting).
• Sets up operatory for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover.
• Handles instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently.
• Provides routine oral prophylactic care to include application of fluoride solutions and making impressions for fluoride carrier trays.
• Provides gross debridement, deep scaling, curettage, and root planning procedures.
• Cleans dental prostheses, fixed and removable.
• Manages dental recall system, referring patients to the doctor for additional care when needed.
• Applies desensitizing and sealant materials.
• Administers topical anesthetic agents, local anesthetic (per State license), and local anti-infective agents as directed by the Dentist.
• Accomplishes all procedures within standard infection control protocols.

• CUSTOMER SERVICE
• Routinely interacts in a professional and courteous manner with managers, co-workers and other employees to accomplish the work of the organization.
• Works with the Dental Assistants to provide input on general chairside assisting, works as a team player, and maintains efficient flow of patient care.
• Facilitate team or unit processes by working collaboratively with team members or employees to ensure that tasks are completed.
• Possess knowledge of clinic processes and services to function in and interact with various clinics throughout the hospital.

• PATIENT EDUCATION
• Responsible for providing patient education appropriate to the Patient’s needs and oral condition (e.g., post-procedure, tobacco cessation, caries and perio-disease prevention).
• Prepares and provides individual and group oral health care instruction to inpatients, outpatients, and caregivers.
• Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery.

• DENTAL IMAGING
• Interprets radiographs and dental images.
• Images are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented and exposed.
• Utilizes dental imaging safety techniques, and ensures retakes are minimized.
• Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatory.
• Ensures instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by Sterile Processing Service standards and in a manner that does not delay clinical care.
• Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images.

• PUBLIC SAFETY
• Modifies care as appropriate for patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position).
• Participate in patient information and time out per Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) requirements.
• Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs for physical distress.