Dental Hygienist

Core Values

The core values of Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) are dignity and stewardship. Each staff member is expected to perform their job duties in a way that preserves dignity for our patients and maintains good stewardship of the Center's resources.

General Description

This position is part of the dental team. This position provides preventive and rehabilitative caries control, periodontal services as assigned by the treatment plan. This position provides oral education and participates in quality improvement activities.

Requirements

Essential Duties

• 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.
• Provides oral health education and appropriate individual counseling for dental patients.

Provides clinical oral hygiene services including dental prophylaxis, scaling, sealant/fluoride application consistent with accepted professional practices and standards.

Performs independent procedures as delegated and directed by a dentist in accordance with state regulations and clinic protocols.

• Support dental outreach activities, as assigned.
• Observes universal precautions at all times.
• Responsible for accurate, timely, and clear dental record documentation
• Complete all job functions observing confidentiality and HIPAA requirements.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

• Graduation from a school of dental hygiene.
• Unrestricted license to practice Oral Hygiene in State of Kansas.
• Extended Care Permit I must be obtained within one (1) year of date of hire.
• Basic Life Support certification required upon hire or obtained within six (6) months from date of hire.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Social and cultural sensitivity appropriate to ethnically and economically diverse patient-and employee-base
• Demonstrate knowledge of the rationale of appropriate patient care.

Communicates through appropriate channels. Use proper chain of command for patient complaints.

• Ability to handle emergency situations calmly and effectively.
• Must be computer literate and proficient with the organization’s electronic health record.
• Must be able to maintain good inter-personal relationship with co-workers and other members of the health care team and the organization.
• Provide customer service in accordance to the organization’s mission.
• Be courteous and respectful when interacting with patients and family members.
• Maintain patient confidentiality in accordance to organization’s policy and procedure and HIPAA requirements.

Working Conditions

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit or stand; use hands, finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 60 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Computer work is frequent.