Dental Hygienist

Job Title:       Dental Hygienist

Department:  Dental/Clinical

Reports To:    Dental Director/Dental Services Manager

FLSA Status: Non -Exempt

SUMMARY

The Dental Hygienist is to assist
the dentist in providing oral health care to patients by cleaning, scaling and
polishing teeth, taking and processing x -rays, and providing instructions on
oral hygiene to patients, personnel and public.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following.  Other duties may be assigned.

Works under the direct
supervision of a dentist, promotes a team concept, maintains effective rapport
with patients, dentists, other staff members and community.

Responsible for patient screening
procedures such as assessment of oral health conditions, review of the health
history, oral cancer screening, head and neck inspection, dental charting and
taking blood pressure and pulse.

Takes and develops dental
radiographs (x -rays).

Removes calculus and plaque (hard
and soft deposits) from all surfaces of the teeth.

Applies preventive materials to
the teeth (e.g. sealants and fluorides).

Teaches patients appropriate oral
hygiene strategies to maintain oral health (e.g., tooth brushing, flossing and nutritional
counseling).

Counsels patients regarding good
nutrition and its impact on oral health.

Makes impressions of patients’
teeth for study casts (models of teeth used by dentists to evaluate patient
treatment needs).

Performs documentation and office
management activities.

Checks and maintains equipment
and submits supply orders as necessary.

Follows infection control
procedures for hygiene treatment area.

Reviews, selects and submits
orders for patient education materials.

Works with Receptionist/Office
Manager to schedule hygiene patients with efficiency.

Communicates effectively and
professionally with patients, checks on patient comfort during treatment and
helps to allay patient anxiety.

Performs other tasks assigned by
Dentist.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

May supervise one dental
assistant who assists in the performance of dental hygienist activities.

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, skills, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to
enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Graduate of a dental school
accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental
Association (ADA) or comparable program with an Associate Degree or its
equivalent and 2 -4 years of experience and is licensed as a dental hygienist in
the State of Mississippi. 

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and
interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and
legal documents.  Ability to respond to
common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members
of the business community.  Ability to
write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style
and format.  Ability to effectively
present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of
directors.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to work with mathematical
concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of
plane and solid geometry and trigonometry.  Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and
proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Must be licensed by the State of
Mississippi as a Dental Hygienist. 

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 with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of
this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger,
handle, or feel; and talk or hear.  The
employee frequently is required to stand, reach with hands and arms, and taste
or smell.  The employee is occasionally
required to walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee must frequently lift and/or move
up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this
job include close vision; color vision, depth perception, and ability adjust
focus.

Requirements

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, skills, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to
enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Graduate of a dental school
accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental
Association (ADA) or comparable program with an Associate Degree or its
equivalent and 2 -4 years of experience and is licensed as a dental hygienist in
the State of Mississippi. 

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Must be licensed by the State of
Mississippi as a Dental Hygienist. 

Benefits

Benefits:
	•	Competitive salary
	•	Health, dental, and vision insurance
	•	Paid time off and holidays
	•	401 -k (up to 3% match) 
	•	Continuing education opportunities
	•	Supportive, team -oriented environment