Dental Hygienist

Job Title: Dental Hygienist

Reports To: Director of Dental Services

Job Summary

Provides a high standard of preventative dental services.

Qualifications and Requirements

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Job duties may be modified at any time based on business needs.

Essential Job Duties

Performs dental services that maintain patients' preventative oral health standards, such as perio program, gingival maintenance, and fluoride varnish pediatric program.

Performs routine treatment procedures, such as cleaning, polishing, x-rays, application of sealants and fluorides, and related procedures.

• Develops and implements individualized dental care plans in collaboration with dentists.
• Provides patient education on procedures and ongoing dental care.
• Documents and reports dental history or chief complaint, pertinent observations, and patient reactions to dental staff, as appropriate.
• Assists in patient admission, transfer, and discharge, and preparation of patient care areas.
• Prepares reports and assists with patient reception, telephone calls, routine triage, and other office duties.
• Sets up and prepares dental equipment and instrumentation.
• Maintains an active recall system.
• Schedules follow up appointments.
• Participates in providing regular and meaningful peer review and feedback to other dental providers.
• Provides dental hygienist services at any site within CCHCI's network.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Required Minimum Qualifications - Education, Experience, Certificates & Licenses:
• Graduate from an accredited Dental Hygiene Program with an Associate's Degree of Science in Dental Hygiene.
• Current Arizona license as a Registered Dental Hygienist
• Current CPR certification.
• Local Anesthetic Certificate.
• Driver's License and Proof of Insurance may be required if requesting mileage reimbursement.
• Participates in continuing medical/dental education programs to maintain professional competence and skills.
• Valid Fingerprint Clearance Card.

Preferred Education, Experience, Certificates & Licenses

• Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene preferred.
• Clinical experience preferred.

Required Language Skills

Ability to comprehend and compose effective instructions, correspondence and communications in English in both oral and written format.

Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to patients, internal providers and staff and other agency staff working in cooperation with the organization.

Ability to communicate technical information to non-technical personnel.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to frequently exert enough force to move objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to continuously remain in a stationary position.

Ability to constantly move about inside the workplace to assist patients, operate office or dental equipment, etc.

Possesses hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to constantly operate computer, telephone and other office machinery and dental equipment.

Possesses close visual acuity necessary to accurately record and view information on a computer monitor, handwritten and typed documents.

Ability to discern the nature of sounds at a normal spoken volume.

Possesses a range of body motion and ability to exert enough force to lift and move adult and pediatric patients.

Other Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Ability to perform math that may include the use of ratio/proportion, dosage calculation, metric and household equivalents, roman numerals, abbreviations, and general math including percentages, etc.

• Ability to draw and interpret graphs.
• Ability to skillfully gather and analyze data.
• Ability to perform a variety of assignments and make decisions requiring considerable independent judgment.
• Ability to resolve challenges and work under pressure.
• Displays a high level of critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of HIPAA and Corporate Compliance rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and institutional regulations and guidelines for the provision of dental outpatient services.
• Knowledge and understanding of dental surgery and associated procedures, terminology, and techniques.
• Knowledge of Dental health plans and community health centers.
• Computer literacy required.
• Knowledge of Electronic Health/Dental Records and dental x-ray software preferred.
• Ability to independently assess the nature and extent of dental, periodontal, and associated conditions and pathology in dental outpatients.
• Ability to analyze medical records and prescribed protocol to formulate effective treatment plans.
• Ability to prioritize and plan work activities, use time efficiently and develop realistic action plans.

Work Environment & Conditions

Work environment is typical of a health clinic setting with occasional exposure to communicable diseases, bodily fluids and hazardous chemicals.

Work occasionally involves use of needles and other dental equipment with proximity to electrical current, exposure to moving mechanical parts, and some hazardous chemicals.

Work requires reliable transportation as position requires occasional travel and extended hours to include early mornings, evenings, and weekends.

Work requires the ability to be contacted by cell phone during or outside of regular work hours.