Dental Hygienist

About This Role

This role involves performing prophylaxis and periodontal scaling, examining oral areas for disease, and educating patients on oral hygiene. The Dental Hygienist may also take X-rays, apply fluoride or sealants, and administer local anesthesia as directed by a Dentist.

Responsibilities

• Clean calcareous deposits, accretions, and stains from teeth and beneath margins of gums, using dental instruments and/or ultrasonic technology
• Utilize laser therapy in conjunction with gingivitis and/or periodontal treatment
• Record and review patient medical histories
• Examine gums, using probes, to locate periodontal pockets and signs of gum disease
• Feel and visually examine gums for sores and signs of disease
• Expose periapical, bitewing, and panoramic X-rays
• Chart conditions of decay and disease for diagnosis and treatment by dentist
• Maintain dental equipment and sharpen and sterilize dental instruments
• Feel lymph nodes under patient's chin to detect swelling or tenderness that could indicate presence of oral cancer
• Provide clinical services or health education to improve and maintain the oral health of patients or the general public
• Apply fluorides or other cavity preventing agents to arrest dental decay
• Maintain patient recall system
• Administer local anesthetic agents
• Remove excess cement from coronal surfaces of teeth
• Conduct dental health clinics for community groups to augment services of dentist
• Remove sutures and dressings
• Place and remove rubber dams, matrices, and temporary restorations
• Make impressions for whitening trays
• May be designated as the “numbing hygienist” and would be required to provide local anesthesia to all patients receiving restorative treatment, ensuring a smooth flow of the restorative schedule by aiding in the break-down, sterilization, and set up of the operatories throughout the day, assisting in the upkeep of the sterilization lab by helping with cleaning and bagging of instruments, and providing preventive and periodontal treatment as needed while the patient is in the Doctor's chair
• Comply with Dental Depot policies and procedures; OSHA policies, procedures, rules, and regulations; and HIPAA policies, procedures, rules, and regulations
• Relocate to other Dental Depot clinics either permanently or on a short term basis due to office needs, on an as needed basis at the discretion of Management
• Complete other administrative and maintenance tasks as assigned by Management
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance

Requirements

• High School Graduate or General Education Degree (GED)