Registered Dental Hygienist

POSITION TITLE: Registered Dental Hygienist

RESPONSIBLE TO: Dental Director  

FLSA STATUS: Full time – Exempt, Part time – Non-Exempt 

Purpose of Position: Registered Dental Hygienist will examine patients for signs of oral diseases, such as gingivitis, provide preventive care including oral hygiene, and educate patients about oral health. 

Qualifications:

1. Graduate from an accredited Dental Hygiene program.
2. Have a current license in the states of Idaho and Oregon.
3. Be CPR Certified.
4. Be licensed according to state laws to administer Nitrous Oxide.
5. Be licensed according to state laws to administer local anesthesia.

Responsibilities:

1. Work with patients to conduct dental and medical histories.
2. Conduct oral exams of the hard and soft tissues of the mouth.
3. Notify the dentist of questionable areas on the hard or soft tissue.
4. Evaluate plaque accumulation, calculus accumulation, bleeding upon probing.
5. Perform scaling and root planning, curettage, oral prophylaxis and topical fluoride treatment.
6. Place sealants.
7. Provide patient education regarding oral hygiene problems (i.e. rampant decay, diet, periodontal disease, smoking cessation, OHI tools, and all other aspects of dentistry related to hygiene/preventive issues).
8. Check and maintains clinical equipment and instruments.
9. Take x-rays and assist the dentist when necessary.
10. Sharpen and sterilize instruments.
11. Help assistants in their duties as necessary and as time allows.
12. Administer and monitor patients on Nitrous Oxide.
13. Maintain OSHA records and evaluate overall cleanliness of the facility.
14. Oversee chart reviews biannually. 
15. Take Continuing Dental Education courses required to maintain current licensure in Idaho and Oregon.
16. Act as community advocate.
17. Prepare dental education material to present and distribute to schools, community groups, day cares, and other interested parties.
18. Provide dental screening as often as population increases and time allows.

Physical Requirements:

1. Be able to lift without adverse effects weights up to 25 pounds.
2. Be able to endure long periods of standing, sitting, bending or stooping.
3. Have correctable vision and hearing.
4. Be able to read, write and speak clearly.
5. Possess the appropriate manual dexterity to perform successfully the duties described within this Job Description "Dental Hygienist".
6. The ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation. 

Environmental conditions:

The VFHC Dental Clinic work environment is much like that of a typical dental office where the risk of exposure to strong bright light, a high decibel level, ionizing radiation, and blood borne pathogens can and do exist.