Dental Hygienist

Overview

The dental hygienist is responsible for promoting dental health by providing periodontal treatment and education. Other responsibilities include coordination with the dental team for patient care, quality improvement, maintaining dental records, policies and procedures, equipment maintenance, recare, periodontal maintenance, and special projects. Reports to the Dental Director.

Duties and Responsibilities

Patient Care Functions

Prepares and disinfects operatories for dental hygiene treatment
Take radiographs
Examine and provide periodontal treatment through prophylaxis or scaling and root planning
Apply fluoride
Educate and provide oral hygiene instructions
Maintain electronic dental records through documentation and charting
Manage dental and medical emergencies
Coordinate patient care with the dental team
Perform assisting, sterilization, recare and clerical duties during hygiene down times
Maintain dental hygiene supplies, instruments, and equipment
Perform other job-related duties as assigned

Quality Improvement/Administrative Functions

Provides orientation for all new dental hygiene volunteers and students
Assures that dental hygiene students and volunteers comply with policies and procedures
Assures that dental hygiene students and volunteers accurately document clinical services
Tracks patient encounter data necessary for reporting outcome measures to granting agencies
Collaborate with the Dental Director in developing, implementing, and monitoring practice’s quality improvement plan and policies and procedures where needed for dental hygiene

Minimum Qualifications

Active BLS/CPR certification
Active license to practice dental hygiene by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners

Preferred Qualifications

At least one year of clinical experience in dental hygiene

Healthcare onboarding training • Collaborate with healthcare professionals • Employee onboarding • Direct patient care • CPR Certification • Dental office • Post-session clinical documentation • Electronic health records (EHR) management • Preparing dental treatment areas • Root planing • BLS Certification • Fluoride treatment • Data reporting • Care documentation • Mid-level • Preparing medical treatment area • Disinfection procedures • Dental x-ray • Continuous clinical improvement initiatives • Dental equipment • Cleaning • Interdisciplinary policy and procedure development experience • Equipment maintenance • New hire orientation • Dental Hygiene • Patient progress monitoring • 1 year • Patient treatment • Patient education • Managing patient records • Care coordination • Registered Dental Hygienist • Patient emergency assistance • Healthcare data reporting • Surgical instrument sterilization and handling • First aid and CPR