Dental Hygienist

Summary: 

Under the supervision of the Dental Hygiene Supervisor, primary function is to provide high quality hygiene services to Dental Center patients. Additional functions will include and not be limited to: administrative tasks related to patient care including data entry into Electronic Dental Record.   Hygienist is cognizant of the philosophy, standards, objectives and policies of the Dental Center and the Funds.

Responsibilities:

• Performs basic hygiene procedures including: prophylaxis, debridement, polishing, oral hygiene instructions, nutritional counseling, topical fluoride and sealant application
• Performs advanced therapeutic procedures including scaling and root planning, periodontal maintenance prophylaxis
• Administers local anesthetics for hygiene procedures as directed by a dentist
• Proficient in the use of piezo-electric devices and intra-oral cameras
• Assesses home care skills and practices of patients and provides guidance and education to support the patients’ home care efforts
• Obtains vital signs as needed
• Obtains medical history of patients
• Proficient in obtaining radiographic surveys including full mouth series, vertical bite-wings, and panographic images using digital equipment as prescribed by a dentist
• Completes comprehensive periodontal charting as needed
• Prepare treatment rooms for hygiene services as needed following accepted infection control standards as needed
• Collaborates with dentist for the purpose of formulating periodontal treatment plans for patients
• Appropriate and accurate communication and notations in Electronic Dental Record for all patient encounters using departmental standards and protocols
• Communicates with all team members involved in patient’s care, including clerical staff, Dental Assistants, Hygienists, Dentists and supervisors where appropriate to enhance patient care
• Participate in any/all of the Dental Center improvements geared towards operational excellence
• All other duties assigned by Dental Center Management

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Requirements: Detail oriented, ability to prioritize workload, good communication, and interpersonal skills, team player, outstanding work ethic and employment record (including attendance and punctuality), computer skills, ability to type 40 wpm

Language Skills: Speak, read, write, and understand English

Reasoning Ability: High

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: NY State Dental Hygienist License; NY State Dental Hygiene restricted local anesthesia certificate;

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.   Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

• Under 1/3 of the time: Standing, walking, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, couching, or crawling
• ½ to 2./3 of time: Sitting, reaching with hands and arms
• Over 2/3 of time: Talking or hearing
• 100% of the time: Using hands

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.   Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities.

• 1/3 to 2/3 of time: Work near moving or mechanical parts, moderate noise.