Dental Hygienist

Preventative Care Health Service, Inc.

Dental Hygienist Job Description

Title: Dental Hygienist

Supervisor(s): Dentist/COO

Department: Dental Clinic

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Dental hygienists are responsible for providing preventative care for dental patients. The hygienist will work closely alongside the dentist during intensive procedures and in some cases are allowed to perform more routine procedures, such as a teeth cleaning, without the assistance of the dentist.

Dental hygienists work under the supervision of licensed dentists. They are not qualified to make the same kind of diagnostic decisions or perform the same procedures as dentists. Instead, they perform basic dental care tasks, mostly focused on keeping patients' teeth and gums clean. The hygienist often will work on patients on their own and direct their own tasks.

Key skills for Dental Hygienist

Good eyesight and manual dexterity skills are essential, as is the ability to maintain concentration for lengthy periods of time. Having a mature, friendly, confident and caring manner is important, as is the possession of appropriate personal characteristics such as effective interpersonal, communication, teamwork and listening skills

Responsibilities of the job include:

• providing dental health education about tooth care and diet
• removing plaque and calculus by scaling and polishing teeth
• taking impressions and/or dental radiographs of teeth
• applying prophylactic/antibacterial materials, fissure sealants and topical fluorides to help prevent tooth decay
• carrying out screening and monitoring procedures
• treating and helping to prevent gum disease
• ensuring that sterile conditions are maintained
• offering advice and encouragement to patients
• working closely with and under the instruction of dentists
• using a range of dental instruments
• keeping up to date with new developments within the profession and maintaining patient dental records
• Make appropriate referrals

Dental Hygienist Skills and Qualifications

• Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene required (Bachelor’s preferred)
• Current state license required
• 3 years’ experience as a Dental Hygienist
• 5 years’ experience as a Dental Assistant also accepted
• Excellent verbal communication skills
• Availability to work overtime, including weekends
• Experience working with children preferred
• Basic understanding and knowledge of HIPAA privacy rules
• Current CPR certification required

Special Requirements

• Requires sitting, standing and walking for extensive periods of time. Requires working under stressful conditions or working irregular hours. Requires frequent exposure to communicable diseases, body fluids, toxic substances, medicinal preparations and other conditions common to a clinic environment. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Ability to work with a moderate noise level in the work environment is required.

Confidentiality

• Maintains and follows patient confidence and protects operations by keeping patient care information confidential to be in compliance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). We shall respect ourselves, our patients, co-workers, and work as a team.

Hours of operation

• All PCHS staff whether employed or contract are obligated to abide by the hours of operation as set by the PCHS Board of Directors. The hours change frequently as per the needs of our patients.

Leave Request

• All PCHS staff whether employed or contract are obligated to abide by PCHS Leave Policy as stated in PCHS Policy and Procedures Manuals as set by the PCHS Board of Directors. This indicated that any vacation time or leave is asked for in a timely manner, to assist us with preparing for coverage, re-scheduling or back up.

Texas is an At Will State Employment not guaranteed for any specific time, and either party is free to terminate, with or without cause or prior notice. All PCHS staff whether employed or contract are obligated to abide by PCHS Resignation policy as stated in Policy and Procedures manuals as set by the PCHS Board of Directors, which includes but is not limited to; at least two weeks’ written notice for non-exempt staff and thirty days written notice for exempt staff or contract staff. Timely written notice, as per policy must be given to PCHS, in order to be eligible for any vacation time accrued, that is to say if you are eligible, which means you are not in any probationary period and you have been employed consecutively for at least one year at PCHS. Failure to provide timely written notification, as per policy, will forfeit any eligible vacation time. Sick time is not a payable benefit under any circumstances at time of departure, this benefit is forfeited.

Discrimination Prohibitions

• Fundamental is the fact that the PCHS does not discriminate, in services or in employment, on the basis of race, color, marital status, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental handicap or disability, age (over 40), Vietnam era veteran status, or other grounds not permitted by applicable federal, state and local laws or regulations. The Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) prohibits discrimination against individuals qualified to perform the essential functions of a position with or without a reasonable accommodation on the basis of the individual’s disability or perceived disability.
• The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. The job description is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

I have read and understood my job description, and I am able to comply with all requirements.

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Employee Signature Date

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Print Name

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CEO

Job Types: Part-time, Full-time

Pay: From $38.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

License/Certification:

• Registered Dental Hygienist (Required)
• Dental License (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $38