Dental Hygienist

Description :

Hiring Positions at our West, Waunakee, Campus (Regent St.), East and Verona locations.

JOB PURPOSE :

Conducts oral examinations, serves as a preventative care specialist and provides educational, clinical and therapeutic services supporting total health through the promotion of optimal oral health. To utilize your knowledge and clinical skills to assist dentists and provide dental hygiene care for patients.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS :

1. CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Pull charts for the following day's appointments.
• Review charts, update medical histories, and contact physicians' offices with the permission of the patient and dentist for information regarding the patient's health.
• Provide services according to guidelines set by the dentist or from the patient's personal physician.
• Record treatment performed and treatment prescribed by the dentist during patient visit.
• Perform a soft tissue examination, including oral cancer screening (using Velscope), to check for any intraoral lesions or abnormalities.
• Expose and process (if applicable) dental x-rays and alert the dentist to observations.
• Perform oral prophylaxis on patients by scaling and polishing the teeth to remove stains, plaque, and calculus from tooth and root surfaces.
• Apply cavity prevention agents such as fluorides and pit and fissure sealants.
• Maintain accurate medical / dental records and documentation on each patient.
• Educate patients on proper diet, proper brushing and flossing technique, and the use of special home care instruments such as Hydro Floss® / Sonicare, denture brushes, floss threaders, and inter-dental brushes.
• Demonstrate and explain the proper care of dentures and bridges and explains the causes of dental cavities and gum disease and their prevention.
• Clarify health questions and summarize the dental findings of the exam and explain the recommended treatment.
• Practice and maintain proper infection control procedures, including preparation, cleaning and disinfection of treatment room before and after each patient, cleaning and sterilization of dental instruments, and disinfection of dental equipment.
• Maintain dental instruments and equipment in proper working order. Monitor and maintain supply inventory.
• As necessary, assist the Dental Assistant by seating patients, cleaning, packaging, and sterilizing instruments, setting up trays for dental procedures, screening emergency patients, removing sutures, taking impressions, making models, and assisting chair side.
• Be proficient in providing the patient an intra-oral tour of their mouth, as well as taking intra-oral pictures to alert the dentist to observations.
• Provide periodontal treatment; including classification of periodontal health, scaling and root planning.
• Place Arestin.
• Administer local anesthetic when performing periodontal therapies.
• Attend continuing education programs as required to maintain license to practice as a dental hygienist.
• Make continuing care calls and send thank you letters to new patients.

2. SERVICE RESPONSIBILITIES :

Requirements :

JOB QUALIFICATIONS AND JOB EVALUATION

DOCUMENTATION

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and / or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

KNOWLEDGE

EDUCATION :

EXPERIENCE :

SKILLS AND ABILITIES :

LICENSES / CERTIFICATIONS :

IMPACT OF RESULTS

CONFIDENTIAL AND SENSITIVE INFORMATION

HOURLY WAGE

HOURS / WEEK

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

WORKING CONDITIONS

PI326024d1afcd-31181-37572149