Registered Dental Hygienist

ACHC is a Federally Qualified Health Center and licensed primary care clinic. We provide Family Medicine and Dental Care, with additional specialists in Behavioral Health, Chiropractic, Internal Medicine, Neurology, Pediatrics, Podiatry and Optometry. ACHC Clinics are located across Fresno, Kings and Tulare counties.

The Registered Dental Hygienist is responsible for promoting dental health by completing dental prophylaxis; providing oral cancer screening and radiographic studies; charting conditions of decay and disease; performing procedures in compliance with the dental practice act.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assists in the oral health management of all clinic patients.
• Obtains baseline oral hygiene assessment data based upon accepted principles of oral hygiene and periodontal care.
• 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.
• Provides oral health education and appropriate individual counseling for all center dental patients.
• 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 center's clinical protocols.
• Integration of appropriate patient dental hygiene care with other heal care professionals involved in the patient's health care management.
• Organizes and performs preventive oral health presentations at on-site and off-site locations.
• Assists in the provision of technical assistance and health education in the community as requested.
• Performs independent procedures as delegated and directed by a dentist in accordance with state regulations and law as well as Dental Department protocol and directive.
• Assists in the maintenance of all Dental Department areas in compliance with Dental Department directive and policies as well as center policies and procedures relative to infection control, exposure control and safety issues.
• Receives and places necessary telephone calls consistent with professional matters, clinic business and patient care of the Dental Department.
• Insures the proper disposal of all contaminated or potentially contaminated materials in accordance with Dental Department directive and center policy as well as state federal regulations(s).
• Complies in full with the center's Exposure Control Plan.
• Responsible for personal compliance with all applicable federal, state, local and center 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.
• Other duties as assigned

REQUIREMENTS

SKILLS & ABILITIES :

Requires a comprehensive knowledge of oral hygiene care in outpatient settings. Knowledge of the principles and practice of modern oral hygiene and periodontal patient care is necessary. The Registered Dental Hygienist must be cognizant of the public health, social and economic factors which impact on the overall health, and more specifically the oral health of their patients. The Registered Dental Hygienist must be able to creatively work with other health care professionals from a variety of disciplines to achieve maximal program effectiveness and patient benefit. The ability to creatively solve problems through individual and / or programmatic action is an important part of this position.

Compassion. Sometimes patients are in extreme pain or have fears about undergoing dental work, and the hygienist must be sensitive to their emotions.

Detail oriented . Dental hygienists must follow specific rules and protocols to help dentists diagnose and treat a patient. In rare cases, dental hygienists work without the direct supervision of a dentist.

Interpersonal skills . Dental hygienists must work closely with dentists and patients.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS :

Prolonged sitting or standing may be required. Those physical movements and the degree of mobility, manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination normally associated with the practice of modern oral hygiene will be performed on a repetitive basis. The ability to distinguish letters and symbols, as well as the ability to utilize telephone, computer terminals and copiers is required. Work under stressful conditions as well as irregular hours may be required. Frequent exposure to communicable diseases, body fluids, toxic substances, medicinal preparations, radiation and other conditions common to a clinical environment may routinely be encountered.

The above is intended to describe the general content and requirements for the performance for this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements.

BENEFITS

Aria Community Health Center participates in E-Verify.

Aria Community Health Center is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.