Dental Hygienist

Full-time on-site position in Springfield, MA. Reports to the Dental Director.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Minimum of one (1) year of directly related experience
• Current licensure as a Dental Hygienist in the State of Massachusetts
• Experience with or strong interest in addressing the health care needs of low-income, special-needs, or disadvantaged populations

Responsibilities

• Assess dental condition and needs of patient using patient screening procedures, including medical history review, dental charting, and perio charting; take patient vital signs as required
• Deliver direct patient care using established dental hygienist procedures, such as prophylaxis, scaling and root planning, polishing, x-rays, application of sealants and fluorides, and related procedures
• Develop and implement individualized dental care plans for patients; perform patient education, discharge planning, and patient/family teaching under the supervision of a qualified dentist
• Provide chair-side assistance to dentist in the performance of special tests, procedures, and complex treatments
• Make impressions of patients’ teeth for study casts
• Document dental history or chief complaint; record and report pertinent observations and patient reactions to dental staff; document lab procedures and ensure follow-up on results
• Assist with or institute emergency measures for sudden adverse developments during treatment of patients
• Perform patient triage and initiate patient care as appropriate for walk-in patients
• Assist in preparation of patient care areas and in the patient admission, transfer, and discharge process; prepare reports and assist with patient reception, telephone calls, routine triage, and other office duties
• Ensure prior approvals are sent to MassHealth as needed
• Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned

Skills

• Ability to analyze medical records and prescribed protocol to formulate effective treatment plans
• Knowledge of Federal and State regulations and guidelines for the provision of dental outpatient services
• Ability to communicate technical information to non-technical personnel
• Ability to independently assess the nature and extent of dental, periodontic, and associated conditions and pathology in dental outpatients
• Ability to perform a full range of established dental hygienist protocol and procedures
• Knowledge of patient screening, charting, and medical history procedures and documentation
• Knowledge and understanding of dental surgery and associated procedures, terminology, and techniques
• Ability to set up and prepare dental equipment and instrumentation in accordance with established regulations and guidelines
• Ability to independently perform emergency dental procedures
• Knowledge of patient admission, triage, transfer, and discharge procedures and documentation

Working Conditions

• May require long and arduous hours
• Moderate physical activity, including handling objects up to 25 pounds or standing/walking for more than four (4) hours per day
• Exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations requiring extensive safety precautions and use of protective equipment
• Work with blood or blood-borne pathogens
• Use of a computer workstation with a CRT

Pay

Salary range: \$46.35 - \$52.79 per hour