Dental Hygienist

Duties/Responsibilities

• Assesses and obtains clinical evidence of patient's level of periodontal health.
• Assists in the oral management of all clinic patients.
• Obtains baseline oral hygiene assessment data based upon accepted principles of oral hygiene and periodontal care.
• Records patient-hygiene interactions as they occur in the patient’s dental record.
• Provides oral health educational and appropriate individual counseling for all dental clinic patients.
• Provides clinical oral hygiene services including dental prophylaxis, scaling and root planing, sealant application and fluoride application consistent professional practices and standards and in compliance with applicable state law and the clinic’s clinical protocols.
• Integrates appropriate patient dental hygiene care with other health care professionals involved in the patient’s health care management.
• Performs independent procedures as delegated and directed by a dentist in accordance with state regulations and law as well as Dental Department protocol and directive.
• Assists with various clinical and administrative functions of the clinic.
• Ensures the proper disposal of all contaminated or potentially contaminated materials in accordance with Dental Department directive and clinic policy as well as state and federal regulation(s).
• Facilitates the patient flow and anticipates the needs of the dentists in the delivery of dental care.
• Takes and monitors patient’s vital signs.
• Obtains patient medical and medication history.
• Prepares patients for examination or treatment.
• Takes dental x-rays under the direction and supervision of a licensed dentist.
• Assists with examinations, treatments, procedures and emergencies.
• Maintains dental hygiene treatment rooms in clean and orderly condition, stocked with appropriate treatment instruments and materials.
• Sterilizes instruments and performs routine cleaning and maintenance of dental equipment and work areas.

Qualifications

• Graduate from an accredited school of dental hygiene.
• One or more years of experience as a dental hygienist preferred, especially in a FQHC setting.
• Certificate or Professional License: Unrestricted license to practice Oral Hygiene in the State of Indiana.