Dental Hygienist

Description

Position Summary:

Responsible for providing preventive services and periodontal treatment procedures requested by dentist after and examination and treatment plan are completed. The Affiliated Hygienist is responsible for performing screening exams in order to provide preventive services, if applicable. All functions except local anesthesia under 18 and nitrous oxide may be performed under general supervision.

Essential Functions

1. Responsible for providing preventive services, including prophylaxis, scaling, fluoride, oral hygiene and dietary instructions, after the patient is examined by the dentist. Affiliated hygienist may perform screenings prior to administering preventive procedures.
2. May delegate polishing to dental assistant certified in coronal polishing.
3. Responsible for providing periodontal treatment upon dentist’s recommendation following exam, including root planning, closed subgingival curettage, local antibiotic placement.
4. Performs periodontal probing on all patients with fully erupted permanent dentition.
5. Exposes x-rays in accordance with Dental Standard of Care and radiation safety. Performs other dental assistant tasks when appropriate.
6. Enters notes in patient chart when procedures are completed, in accordance with

Dental Policies and procedures.

1. Cleans and disinfects treatment room following treatment, in accordance with OSHA, CDCP, and ADA standards.
2. Steam autoclaves or disinfects all re-usable equipment and instruments in accordance with OSHA, CDCP, and ADA standards.
3. Disposes of sharps and potentially contaminated trash correctly, in accordance with UCHC policy, and OSHA, CDCP, and ADA standards, and federal and state regulations.
4. Operates in compliance with Dental Exposure Control Manual, Hazard Communication Manual , and Safety Manual, which are based on OSHA, CDCP, and ADA standards
5. Maintains excellent communication between hygiene and other clinical staff and front office staff during the day to accomplish smooth operations.
6. Performs hygiene functions in portable setting when appropriate. This may include carrying equipment, instruments, materials, and supplies to the portable setting
7. Helps with contacting patient re-care appointment and scheduling visits in Freeport dental and Mobile RV clinics.

Additional Duties & Responsibilities

1. Attends and participates in mandatory in-service and staff meetings and participates in voluntary in-service or outside trainings and staff meetings as appropriate.
2. Travel to clinic or schools as needed, assisting in office as needed.
3. Assists in orienting and training new staff members and/or student externs as needed.
4. Participates in and complies with Quality Improvement initiatives and ongoing continuous improvement efforts as appropriate.
5. As directed by Dental Director participates as representative of United Community Health Center Dental Kid’s Care Program in local meetings with Southern Arizona Oral Health Coalition when needed.

Requirements

Qualifications/Requirements

1. Graduation from an accredited school of dental hygiene.
2. Minimum of three years of clinical experience required.
3. Clinical fluency in Spanish preferred.
4. Knowledge of community health principles and practices preferred.
5. Excellent communication skills, with ability to teach patients using age-specific lay language with patients and parents.
6. Excellent interpersonal oral and written communication skills required.
7. Ability to maintain appropriate clinical skills required.
8. Maintenance of continuing education requirements for re-licensure.
9. Must be in good standing with AZ Dental Board, with no current disciplinary actions.
10. Reliable vehicle for transportation to and from work site, with proof of current vehicle insurance.

Licensure/Certification

1. Current license to practice hygiene in Arizona
2. Certified in administration of local anesthesia.
3. Registered as Affiliated Hygienist.
4. Current CPR certification
5. Valid Arizona driver’s license