Dental Hygienist

POSITION SUMMARY

The Dental Hygienist will clean teeth and examine oral areas, head, and neck for signs of oral disease. The position also educates patients on oral hygiene, takes and develops x-rays, and applies fluoride or sealants.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILIITES

• None.
• May oversee the daily workflow of the department in the absence of a dentist.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES (Listed in descending order of importance) 

Clinical Objectives 

1. Provides clinical oral hygiene services including dental prophylaxis, scaling, sealant application and fluoride application consistent professional practices and standards and in compliance with applicable state law and the clinic’s clinical protocols.
2. Takes and monitors patient’s vital signs, obtains patient history, and prepares patients for examination or treatment.
3. Assists with examinations, treatments, procedures, and emergencies.
4. Cleans calcareous deposits, accretions, and stains from teeth and beneath margins of gums using dental instruments.
5. Examines gums using probes to locate periodontal recessed gums and signs of gum disease. Feels lymph nodes under patients chin to detect swelling or tenderness that could indicate the presence of oral cancer.
6. Applies fluorides or other cavity-preventing agents to arrest dental decay.
7. Exposes and develops x-ray film.
8. Records and reviews patient medical histories. Charts conditions of decay and disease for diagnosis and treatment by dentist.
9. Maintains dental equipment and sharpens and sterilizes dental instruments.
10. Provides clinical services or health education to improve and maintain the oral health of patients or the general public.
11. Integrates appropriate patient dental hygiene care with other health care professionals involved in the patient’s health care management.
12. Performs independent procedures as delegated and directed by a dentist in accordance with state regulations and law as well as Dental Department protocol and directive.
13. Ensures the proper disposal of all contaminated or potentially contaminated materials in accordance with Dental Department directive and clinic policy as well as state and federal regulation(s).
14. Assists in the maintenance of all Dental Department areas in compliance with Dental Department directive and policies as well as clinic policies and procedures relative to infection control, exposure control and safety issues.
15. Assists with various clinical and administrative functions of the clinic.
16. Facilitates the patient flow and anticipates the needs of the dentists in the delivery of dental care.

Privacy and Compliance Objectives 

1. Maintains patient confidentiality at all times in accordance with HIPAA regulations. Assists in the oral management of all clinic patients.
2. Records patient-hygiene transactions as they occur in the patient’s dental record so that the dental record accurately and completely reflects the nature of the contact, the condition of the patient and the care or treatment provided.
3. Receive and places necessary telephone calls consistent with professional matters, clinic business and patient care of Dental Department.
4. Responsible for personal compliance with all applicable federal, state, local and clinic rules, regulations, protocols, and procedures governing the practice of dental hygiene and the clinical provision of dental hygiene services as well as those relating to, but not limited to, personnel issues, workplace safety, public health and confidentiality.
5. Demonstrates basic Knowledge of Infection & Exposure control and sterile techniques through annual competency assessments for a dental practice.
6. Oversees, as applicable, Dental Department compliance, relative to Infection & Exposure Control and safety, as required by local, State, and Federal guidelines, Dental Department directives and protocols, and clinic policies and procedures.

Educational and Administrative Objectives 

1. Provides oral health educational and appropriate individual counseling for all dental clinic patients.
2. Assists in the provisions of technical assistance and health education in the community as requested.
3. Coordinates the inventory, supply ordering, and stocking of operatories.
4. Participates in Quality Improvement processes and activities in the organization.
5. Seeks out Continuing Education beneficial to position.

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Communication – Possesses excellent communication skills, both interpersonal and written, and ability to work effectively with all levels of employees. Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; demonstrates group presentation skills; participates in meetings; writes clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and grammar; keeps others adequately informed; selects and uses appropriate communication methods. 

• Health Center Culture – Treats people with respect; keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; works with integrity and principles; upholds organizational values; follows policies and procedures; supports organization's goals and values; shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; follows instructions; responds to management direction; takes responsibility for own actions; keeps commitments; commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan; asks for and offers help when needed.

• Customer Service for Internal and External Customers/Patients – Manages difficult or emotional customer/patient situations; responds promptly to customer/patient needs; solicits customer/patient feedback to improve service; responds to requests for service and assistance; meets commitments. 

• Job Knowledge – Competent in required job skills and knowledge; exhibits ability to learn and apply new skills; keeps abreast of current developments; requires minimal supervision; displays understanding of how job relates to others; maintains confidentiality per policy and regulations; fluent in Microsoft Office programs, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook and job related software and computers; familiarity with social media, databases, and professional networks locally and nationally; uses resources effectively; pursues training and development opportunities; adapts to new technologies; keeps technical skills up to date. 

• Problem Solving – Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem solving situations; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics; adapts to changes in the work environment; changes approach or method to best fit the situation.

• Planning/Organizing – Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently; plans for additional resources; sets goals and objectives; develops realistic action plans. 

• Quality Management – Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; applies feedback to improve performance; monitors own work to ensure quality. 

• Safety and Security – Observes safety and security procedures; determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; reports potentially unsafe conditions; uses equipment and materials properly. 

• Teamwork – Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; establishes and maintains effective relations; exhibits tact and consideration; offers assistance and support to co-workers; works cooperatively in group situations; works actively to resolve conflicts. 

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Education or Formal Training & Experience

1. Graduation from an accredited school of dental hygiene.
2. Three years’ experience in a dental practice setting preferred.
3. Unrestricted license to practice Oral Hygiene in the State of Colorado
4. Current CPR (BLS) certification.

Requirements

1. Must pass a criminal background check.
2. Annual Flu vaccine required. Employer will provide.
3. Obtain 2 step PPD for tuberculosis (annually if provider). Employer will provide. 
4. Obtain vaccine records for MMR, Varicella, T-DaP, and Hep B.  Employer will provide.

Knowledge, Skill & Ability: (include materials and equipment directly used)

1. Excellent interpersonal and written communications skills required.
2. FTCA coverage or private professional malpractice insurance obtainable.
3. Ability to establish and maintain effective professional relationships with fellow healthcare providers.
4. Essential to have ability to understand information/instruction, be able to exchange verbal information with others and possess ability to present information/instruction verbally.
5. Excellent customer service skills. 
6. Ability to establish and maintain effective, courteous working relationships with patients and others.
7. Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment and to prioritize and perform multiple tasks.
8. Ability to be clinically fluent in Spanish preferred.

Physical Requirements and Workplace Environment: 

1. Job offer is contingent on being free of active tuberculosis. This job requires yearly tuberculosis testing.
2. Requires lifting up to 35 pounds.
3. Requires ability to hear routine conversations.
4. Requires periods of standing and walking while seeing patients.
5. Requires sufficient near vision to be able to read documents and computer screen.
6. Requires ability to stoop, kneel, bend, crouch, and reach.
7. Requires ability to comprehend both oral and written communications.
8. O.S.H.A. Category 1:  All procedures or other job-related tasks involve an inherent potential for mucous membrane or skin contact with blood, body fluids or tissues or a potential for spills or splashes of these fluids.
9. HIPAA Classification:  Unrestricted Access: A workforce member with unrestricted access will have full access to a patient’s protected health information, including the patient’s entire medical record, for patient care purposes.     

Additional Requirements

Perform such other duties or projects as determined by this position’s supervisor.