General Dental Practice Dental Hygienist
Job Description
Essential Functions:
1. Assists in the oral health management of all clinic patients.
2. Obtains baseline oral hygiene assessment data based upon accepted principles of oral hygiene and periodontal care.
3. Records patient-hygienist transactions as they occur in the patient’s dental record so that the dental record accurately and completely reflects the nature of the contact, the condition of the patient and the care or treatment provided.
4. Provides oral health education and appropriate individual counseling for all dental patients.
5. Provides clinical oral hygiene services including dental prophylaxis, scaling, sealant application and fluoride application consistent with accepted professional practices and standards and in compliance with applicable state law and the office’s clinical protocols.
6. Integration of appropriate patient dental hygiene care with other health care professionals involved in the patient’s health care management.
7. Performs independent procedures as delegated and directed by a dentist in accordance with state regulations and law as well as office protocol.
8. Assists in the maintenance of all office areas in compliance with office policies including but limited to policies and procedures relative to infection control, exposure control and safety issues.
9. Receives and places necessary telephone calls consistent with professional matters, clinic business and patient care of the office.
10. Assists with various clinical and administrative functions of the office as appropriate and time permits.
11. Insures the proper disposal of all contaminated or potentially contaminated materials in accordance with office policy as well as state and federal regulations(s).
12. Complies in full with the office’s Exposure Control Plan.
13. Travels when necessary to meet operational needs.
14. As directed by a supervisor, performs other related and/or necessary tasks to achieve organizational and programmatic goals and objectives.
15. Responsible for personal compliance with all applicable federal, state, local and office rules, regulations, protocols and procedures governing the practice of dental hygiene and the clinical provision of dental hygiene services as well as those relating to, but not limited to, personnel issues, work place safety, public health and confidentiality.
Education and Training:
1. Graduation from an accredited school of dental hygiene.
2. Ability to establish and maintain effective professional relationships with fellow healthcare providers and other office staff.
3. Ability to be clinically fluent in Spanish is a plus but not required
4. Excellent interpersonal and written communications skills required.
5. Ability to maintain appropriate clinical privileges required.
6. Must be able to maintain private individual malpractice insurance.