Dental Hygienist

PRIMARY PURPOSE: The dental hygienist will provide oral care such as debridement, hand scaling and regular cleanings to patients and provide them with information to assist with developing and maintaining good oral health. 

  ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Delivers direct patient care to patients as assigned, using established dental hygienist procedures. 
• Performs patient triage and initiates patient care as appropriate for walk-in patients once a dentist conducts an initial comprehensive oral exam. 
• Develops and implements individualized dental care plans for patients according to periodontal diagnosis from dentist. 
• Assesses the nature and extent of dental, periodontics and associated conditions and pathology in dental outpatients. 
• Assesses dental condition and needs of patient by analyzing medical records and prescribed protocol to formulate effective therapeutic treatment plans. 
• Uses patient screening procedures to include medical history review, dental charting and periodontal charting. 
• Takes patient vital signs as required. 
• Documents dental history or chief complaint of patient.
• Records and reports pertinent observations and patient reactions to dental staff, as appropriate. 
• Performs routine treatment procedures, such as cleaning, polishing, x-rays, application of sealants and fluorides, and related procedures. 
• Assists with or institutes emergency measures for sudden adverse developments during treatment of patients. 
• Communicates technical information to non-technical personnel. 
• Sets up and prepares dental equipment and instrumentation in accordance with established regulations and guidelines. 
• Assists in preparation of patient care areas and in the patient admission, transfer and discharge process, as required. 
• Prepares reports and assists as required with patient reception, telephone calls, routine triage and other office duties. 
• Performs patient education, discharge planning and patient/family teaching under the supervision of a qualified dentist. 
• Communicate all concerns to the dentist.
• Must also be able to respect the culture, values and opinions of others. 
• Assist with agency fundraising activities as requested, including promoting events, selling tickets, soliciting donations and other task to support events. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

  REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 

•  Knowledge of dental hygienist procedures. 
• Ability to orally communicate effectively with others, with or without the use of an interpreter. 
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing using the English language, with or without the use of auxiliary aids or services. 
• Ability to review, understand, and apply concepts presented in training programs, conferences, and/or professional literature.
• Clear understanding that FoundCare provides information on educating individuals on safer sex practices, which would include but not be limited to, exposure to explicit language, explicit printed material, and descriptions of explicit sexual activities as part of the agency’s mission in the prevention and transmission of HIV disease.

  PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Ability to endure short, intermittent, and/or long periods of sitting and/or standing in performance of job duties. 
• Need to travel to off-site locations and attend meetings, workshops, seminars plus travel to other FoundCare departments and FoundCare conference rooms. 
• Accomplish job duties using various types of equipment/supplies, e.g. pens, pencils, calculators, computer keyboard, telephone, etc. 

  MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Required Education and Experience: Associate degree from accredited dental hygiene program or equivalent number of years of experience, plus three years of experience as a dental hygienist. Knowledge and understanding of dental surgery and associated procedures, terminology and techniques 
• Preferred Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree from accredited dental hygiene program or in directly related clinical field. Knowledge of federal, state and institutional regulations and guidelines for the provision of dental outpatient services.
• Additional Eligibility Qualifications: Valid dental hygiene license and current CPR certification. 
• Good interpersonal skills to maintain effective rapport with patients, dentists, other staff members and community. 
• Possess excellent verbal/written communication skills to communicate with patients and staff, which include superior telephone etiquette. 
• Team player. 
• Able to adapt to office policy improvements (office is constantly striving for improved customer care/service). 
• PC proficient. 
• Quick response/accurate data entry to present treatment plans to patients in a short time frame.
• Maintain client and family confidentially.