Dental Hygienist

PLEASE NOTE - This position may require temporarily relocation to other TONHC Facilities: Sells Hospital, Santa Rosa Health Center, San Simon Health Center, and San Xavier Health Center.

Position Summary: The position is responsible for planning and carrying out dental hygiene treatment and oral health education to whatever depth is considered necessary for patients.

Scope of Work: This position is located at the Dental Facility, Tohono O'odham Nation Sells Hospital, in Sells, Arizona. The purpose of this position is to perform advanced prophylactic and preventive dental procedures in the treatment of patients with related medical and dental problems. In addition, the Chief of the Dental Services establishes the dental program's objectives and philosophy and provides general supervision.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (Depending on the area of assignment, an incumbent may not be required to perform some of the duties listed below):

• Completes a preliminary dental examination on new dental patients.


• Refers abnormalities, such as cavities, traumatic occlusion, and suspicious lesions, to the dentist.


• Prepares dental hygiene treatment plans for patients, including assessing the problem, type of organ hygiene care required, and the sequence of appointments needed to complete treatment.


• Performs complete oral prophylaxis on ambulatory and non-ambulatory patients.


• Performs subgingival scaling, root planning, and curettage under local anesthesia.


• Polishes the teeth and applies fluoride for hypersensitivity, and carries prevention.


• Provides bedside prophylactic treatment using specialized procedures for comatose patients, neurosurgical patients, and other types of non-ambulatory patients.


• In post-operative care of oral surgery and periodontal surgery patients, performs suture removal, changes dressing, applies topical anesthetics, and provides home care instructions.


• Assists the dentist by making repairs and adjustments to the teeth by smoothing rough edges or restorations, removing overhanging margins of fillings, reducing sharp edges of fractured teeth, etc.


• Instructs patients at chairside in oral hygiene, brushing and flossing techniques, and periodontal aids.


• Regularly instructs nurses, health educators, social workers, nursing assistants, community health representatives, and other medical staff to apply proper oral hygiene techniques to young patients, bedridden, disabled, and chronically ill patients.


• Exposes, develops, and processes radiographs on patients, including bitewing, periapical and panoramic x-rays.


• Maintains a record of patient's treatment and records oral conditions of the teeth and surrounding tissues, progress, and therapy notes.


• Contributes to a team effort.


• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the Tohono O'odham culture, customs,and


• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, tribal laws, regulations,and


• Knowledge of the instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, prosthodontic, oral surgical, endodontic, and periodontal treatment provided in a general dentist.


• Knowledge of dental anatomy and bony structures of the head and neck to take diagnostic radiographs.


• Knowledge of oral pathology and periodontology to recognize a variety of abnormal hard and soft tissue conditions.


• Knowledge of medical diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease; as they relate to the care and treatment of the teeth to perform bedside prophylaxis.


• Knowledge and ability to recognize common dental disorders and conditions such as inflamed tissue and tooth decay and perform intra-oral procedures to treat these conditions.


• Knowledge and skill in efficient clinic scheduling, typing, supply ordering, and data gathering.


• Knowledge of the use, care and storage of dental equipment, materials and instruments.


• Knowledge of sterilization techniques.


• Knowledge of procedures used in a dental clinic for receiving, routing, scheduling patients, and dismissing patients.


• Sufficient knowledge of preventive dentistry measures to instruct patients in oral hygiene practices such as brushing, flossing, and dietary suggestions.


• Knowledge of and skill in detecting signs of syncope, or other reactions to dental treatment.


• Knowledge of basic dental terminology and recordkeeping procedures to enter information on patient records.


• Knowledge of HIPAA-related rules and regulations.


• Adequate skills to comprehend and manage an Electronic Dental Record.


• Skill and dexterity in manipulating materials and instruments, intra-orally to remove sutures, change dressings, take impressions and perform other procedures.


• Skill in operation and adjustment of dental radiographic equipment.


• Skill in providing superior customer service to external and internal customers.


• Ability to be compassionate and have good communication skills.


• Ability to maintain privileged confidential information.


• Ability to establish and maintain positive and effective working relationships with other employees and the general public.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associates' Degree in Dental Hygiene.


• One year of experience as a Dental Hygienist

Licenses, Certifications, Special Requirements:

• Must possess Dental licensure in any US State, Territory, or the District of Columbia.


• Upon recommendation for hire, a criminal background and a National FBI fingerprint check are required to determine suitability for employment, including a 39-month driving record.


• May require possessing and maintaining a valid driver's license (no DUIs or major traffic citations within the last three years).


• If required, must meet the Tohono O'odham Nation tribal employer's insurance requirements to receive a driver's permit to operate program vehicles.


• Based on the department's needs, incumbents may be required to demonstrate fluency in both the Tohono O'odham language and English as a condition of employment.