SUN LIFE FAMILY HEALTH CENTER JOB DESCRIPTION

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JOB TITLE:DENTAL HYGIENIST

REPORTS TO:Lead Dental Hygienist 

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:

The Dental Hygienist is primarily responsible for the direct provision of oral hygiene and appropriate preventive services to dental patients and providing appropriate oral health information to individuals and groups. The hygienist performs assignments, which require knowledge of the principles and practice of modern oral hygiene and periodontal patient care. The hygienist must be cognizant of the public health, social and economic factors that affect the overall health and the oral health of patients, requiring the ability to creatively solve problems through individual and programmatic action. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

•  Provide clinical oral hygiene services including dental prophylaxis, scaling, root planning, sealant application, polish teeth and fluoride application, administer local anesthesia when necessary consistent with accepted professional practices and standards in compliance with applicable state law

•  Obtain baseline oral hygiene assessment data, based upon accepted principles of oral hygiene and periodontal care. Assist in the oral health management of all clinic patients

•  Upon referral from the dentist, examines patient’s surrounding tissues and teeth to determine extent of abnormal condition requiring treatment and determines dental hygiene treatment plan

•  Perform independent procedures as delegated and directed by a dentist in accordance with state regulations and law as well as dental department protocol and directives

•  In post-operative care of oral surgery and periodontal surgery patients, performs suture removal, changes dressings, applies topical anesthetics, and instructs patient in home care therapy and proper diet as it relates to oral health

•  In oral cancer patients, takes impressions for construction of mouth guards, applies fluoride using tray technique, and maintains recall system for careful follow-up of each patient. Educates patient on daily oral health and fluoride treatment needs

•  Performs additional procedures such as recording medical and dental histories, reviewing patient’s dietary habits, administers caries prevention agents, desensitizes root surfaces, root planning, and takes and pours impressions for study casts

•  Record patient-hygienist transactions in the patient’s dental record to assure the dental record accurately and completely reflect the nature of the contact, the condition of the patient, and the care or treatment provided

•  Instruct patients at chair-side on oral hygiene. Plans and adapts instructions in home care techniques and selects appropriate adjuncts (i.e. floss, proxibrush, period-aid), tailoring them to the oral hygiene needs and oral problems of individual patients. Explains to patients the causes of periodontal disease and tooth decay, risk factors for periodontal disease, and the importance of diet as it relates to oral and systemic health

•  Instructs the nurses, health educators, and social workers, nursing assistants, community health representative and other medical staff in the proper techniques of oral hygiene to use in our young patients, the bedridden, handicapped, disabled and chronically ill patients. Presents lectures and demonstrations in oral health care to various patient and community groups

•  Integrate appropriate patient dental hygiene care with other health care professionals involved in the patient’s health care management

•  Participates in the Quality Improvement program of the dental department

•  Assist in the maintenance of all dental areas in compliance with department directive and policies as well as SLFHC policies and procedures relative to infection control, exposure control and safety issues

•  Insure the proper disposal of all contaminated or potentially contaminated materials in accordance with department directive and center policy, as well as state and federal regulations. Assure compliance with the clinic’s exposure control plan

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: 

•  Participate in in-service/education regarding Quality Improvement

•  Perform all other related duties as assigned or requested

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

•  Accountability- Role Model, mission, vision and shared values

•  Customer Focus:

Has a clear understanding of internal customer's needs, preferences, timelines and decision-making criteria

Recognizes that building long-term customer satisfaction is the key to employee engagement

•Teamwork – If someone needs help, help them

•  Initiative – Be innovative, apply fresh ideas and continuously improve how you do your work

•  Confidentiality – Maintains strict confidentiality and respect the privacy of others

•  Ethical –Demonstrate consideration and appreciation for co-workers and customer

•  Respect – Demonstrate consideration and appreciation for co-workers and customer

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

•  Demonstrated understanding of dental methods and techniques

•  Knowledge of state and federal regulations where applicable

•  Knowledge of infection control protocols and procedures

•  Ability to perform assignments requiring considerable exercise of independent judgment

•  Competency in dealing with people of various cultures

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

•  High School diploma or equivalency

•  Graduate of an accredited school of dental hygiene

•  Current valid Arizona license to practice oral hygiene

•  Certified as a radiographer