Dental Hygienist

Sterling Health Solutions, Inc.

Job Description

Title:                    Dental Hygienist

Supervisor(s):        Dental Manager

Department:         Dental Services

Effective Date:      July 27, 2015

Job Summary

Responsible for the direct provision of oral hygiene and appropriate preventive services to dental patients of the center. Performs preventive, therapeutic and other services for patients during dental examinations and treatments as prescribed by the Dentist.  This job description reflects management's assignment of essential functions. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Supports dentist as requested
2. Provides clinical oral hygiene services including dental prophylaxis, scaling, sealant application and fluoride application consistent with accepted professional practices and standards and in compliance with applicable state law and the center’s clinical protocols. 
3. Assists provider with examinations and other procedures as needed
4. Anticipates provider needs and proactively supports dentists
5. Provides oral health education and appropriate individual counseling for all center dental patients.
6. Integration of appropriate patient dental hygiene care with other health care professionals involved in the patient’s health care management.
7. Assists in preparation of patient care areas, and in the patient admission, transfer, and discharge process, as required; prepares reports and assists as required with patient reception, telephone calls, routine triage, and other office duties.
8. Obtains baseline oral hygiene assessment data based upon accepted principles of oral hygiene and periodontal care.
9. Records patient-hygienist 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.
10. Assists in the maintenance of all Dental Department areas in compliance with Dental Department directive and policies as well as center policies and procedures relative to infection control, exposure control and safety issues.
11. Assists with various clinical and administrative functions of the center as appropriate and time permits.
12. Insures the proper disposal of all contaminated or potentially contaminated materials in accordance with Dental Department directive and center policy as well as state and federal regulation(s).
13. Responsible for personal compliance with all applicable federal, state, local and center 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, work place safety, public health and confidentiality.
14. Follows established regulations and professional standards as required of the position.  Participates in and supports continuous quality improvement.
15. If Bilingual, interprets as necessary.
16. Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by management.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Required

• Knowledge of the principles and practice of modern oral hygiene and periodontal patient care is necessary. 
• Must be cognizant of the public health, social and economic factor which impact on the overall health, and more specifically the oral health of their patients. 
• Must be able to creatively work with other healthcare professionals from a variety of disciplines to achieve maximal program effectiveness and patient benefit. 
• The ability to creatively solve problems through individual and/or programmatic action is an important part of this position. 
• Ability to operate an electronic dental records software system, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook, text paging, Internet, and Intranet.

Credentials and Experience

Required

• Graduation from an accredited dental hygiene school.   
• Licensed in radiology in the appropriate practicing state. 

Credentials and Experience

Preferred

•  Spanish as a first or second language preferred 

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.  

The above information is intended to describe the most important aspects of the job. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required in order to perform the work. The health center reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the business need arises. Additionally, this job description is not intended as an employment contract, implied or otherwise, and the Center continues to maintain its status as an at-will employer. 

If the essential functions of this position cannot be performed in a satisfactory manner by the employee, reasonable accommodations may be made.