Dental Hygienist

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS: Promotes dental health by offering oral health instructions and completing dental prophylaxis; providing oral cancer screening and digital radiographic images; charting conditions of tooth decay and soft tissue abnormalities; performing duties and responsibilities consistent with Neighborhood Health’s Dental policies & procedures. 

Demonstrates a sincere dedication and loyalty to the philosophy and mission of Neighborhood Health. 

DUTIES/ RESPONSIBILITIES: (Essential Functions: Duties and responsibilities noted with bullets are considered to be the essential functions of the job)

• Prepares treatment room for patient by adhering to prescribed procedures and protocols.
• Provides information to patients and employees by answering questions and requests.
• Maintains instrumentation for dental hygiene treatment by sharpening, cleaning, sterilizing, and selecting proper armamentarium.
• Performs comprehensive past & present medical and dental history including but not limited to pain assessment, allergies, and medications.   
• Take full mouth series digital radiographs including panoramic images
• Completes dental prophylaxis by cleaning deposits and stains from teeth and beneath gum margins using hand instrumentation and ultrasonic scalers
• Detects disease by completing oral cancer screenings; feeling and visually examining gums; using probes to locate periodontal disease and to assess levels of recession; exposing and developing radiographic studies
• Perform comprehensive periodontal evaluation by documenting gingival recession, inflammation, furcation involvement, mobility, soft tissue abnormalities, periodontal classification, etc. 
• Maintain periodontal maintenance as needed on patients. 
• Arrests dental decay by applying fluorides and other cavity- preventing agents.
• Conducts internal and external dental screenings, provide patient education and oral hygiene instruction, and apply sealants as needed.
• Participate in health fairs performing dental screenings and other duties as needed.
• Maintains patient appearance and ability to masticate by fabricating temporary restorations; cleaning and polishing removable appliances; placing, carving, and finishing amalgam restorations; removing cement from crowns and bridges.
• Maintain adequate CPR certification and properly assist and/or respond to medical emergencies per organizational policies and procedures Educates patients by giving oral hygiene and plaque control instructions and postoperative instructions; providing reminders of time of next dental hygiene visit.
• Documents dental hygiene services by recording vital signs; charting in patient records.
• Input proper billing and diagnostic codes for all services rendered
• Ensure all patient records and related documentation are managed and maintained timely, accurately, and consistent with all HIPAA and related regulations and requirements. Maintains safe and clean working environment by complying with OSHA procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Protects patients, self and employees by adhering to CDC and/or organizational infection-control policies and protocols, while adhering to Joint Commission standards.
• Ensures operation of dental equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; following manufacturer's instructions; troubleshooting malfunctions and immediately notifying supervisor of any malfunctioning equipment. 
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge through continuing education; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.
• Contributes to team effort by accomplishing shared goals 
• Demonstrate cultural competence and ability to work with staff and patients from diverse backgrounds 

OTHER DUTIES:

• Prepare and maintain special internal and external reports as requested by Supervisor and/or Department Head.
• Assist with developing, coordinating and recommending changes for the improvement of workflow in the program or section area.  
• May be assigned to various project lead roles to advance the development of the department and support ad hoc needs.
• Able to work under minimal supervision.
• Employee will be asked to perform additional duties and take on other responsibilities as dictated by events and circumstances.
• Perform preventive portable dental services to external agencies (e.g, schools, nursing homes, head start, etc) under remote supervision
• Other duties as assigned 

QUALIFICATION/EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: 

• Active Virginia Dental Hygienist license
• Minimum of an Associate’s degree in Dental Hygiene, Bachelor’s degree a plus from an accredited Dental Hygienist school
• Minimum 2 years of experience preferred
• Experience in a Patient Centered Medical Home setting is preferred
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a diverse work force and client base  
• Proficient with electronic health records, Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel
• Self-Disciplined, mature, independent, highly organized with outstanding oral and written communication skills
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality with all aspects of information in accordance with practice, State and Federal regulations
• Must be comfortable working with culturally diverse populations
• Must be comfortable working independently in a remote supervision setting in schools or facilities of other community partners
• Demonstrate superior critical thinking skills, sound judgment, and decision-making and problem-solving skills
• Knowledge of local health care environment
• Current CPR
• Fluency in Spanish preferred