Dental Hygienist (1711)

POSITION PURPOSE: Through the delivery of periodontal therapies and other hygiene-related services, Dental Hygienists are committed to improving patients' oral health. Candidates must be enthusiastic about their dental work and willing to provide the highest level of care at all times under limited supervision; the Dental Hygienist provides oral hygiene dental treatment and oral hygiene care and education in accordance with guidelines approved, issued, and regulated by the state of Pennsylvania. Patient screening, medical history, and dental charting. Application of fluoride and protective sealants. Removal of calculus, stain, and plaque from above and below the gum line. Provides nutritional counseling and self-care programs to prevent disease—other duties as required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND BASIC DUTIES:

Under limited supervision, the Dental Hygienist provides oral hygiene dental treatment and oral hygiene care and education per guidelines approved, issued, and regulated by the state of Pennsylvania.

1. Patient screening procedures include assessing oral health conditions, reviewing the health history, oral screening, head and neck inspection, dental charting, and taking blood pressure and pulse.
2. Taking and developing dental radiographs (x-rays).
3. Removing calculus and plaque (hard and soft deposits) from all surfaces of the teeth.
4. Applying preventive materials to the teeth (e.g., sealants and fluorides)
5. Teaching patients appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health (i.e., tooth brushing, flossing, and nutritional counseling).
6. Counseling patients about good nutrition and its impact on oral health.
7. Making impressions of patient’s teeth for study casts (models of teeth used by dentists to evaluate patient treatment needs).
8. Performing documentation and office management activities.
9. Other duties as assigned.
10. Evaluate the effectiveness of the care given by the interdisciplinary care team, identify problems, and guide team members to their solutions.
11. Participates in training, orientation, competency assessment, and education of new employees.
12. Communicate concisely and accurately, creating a working climate for personnel growth and job satisfaction.
13. Serves as a resource to other staff in one’s own clinical expertise.
14. Acts professionally, reflecting the mission of the Community Health Center, and demonstrates compliance with all policies, procedures, and federal and state regulations.
15. Demonstrates ongoing service excellence skills.
16. Participates in performance improvement activities as requested.
17. Demonstrates ongoing understanding of corporate compliance policy.
18. Participates in meetings and conferences and demonstrates a genuine desire to develop strategies for improved clinic operations and a high level of patient care.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Demonstrates an ability to perform job duties as outlined in the job description consistently.
• Demonstrate and support service excellence standards outlined in the Employee Handbook.
• Demonstrates commitment to professional growth and competence.
• Demonstrates compliance with patient confidentiality 100% of the time.
• Handwriting is legible 100% of the time.
• Knowledge of the Dentrix software program is preferred.
• Familiar with insurance coverage preferred.
• Prefer two (2) years of hands-on experience as a Hygienist.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Local Anesthesia and Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR

QUALIFICATIONS:

       Education:

• An Associate’s Degree or two (2) year college equivalent
• Current license and certificates for Pennsylvania Dental Hygiene
• X-Ray Certification
• CPR Certification
• Maintain Continuing Education (CE) requirements.
• Must be a Pennsylvania Board Registered Hygienist

     Experience:

• Two (2) to Three (3) years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience required.