Dental Hygienist

Principle Responsibilities And Duties

• Assesses dental condition and needs of patient; uses patient screening procedures, to include medical history review, dental charting, and perio charting; takes patient vital signs as required.
• Delivers direct patient care to patients as assigned, using established dental hygienist procedures; performs routine treatment procedures, such as prophylaxis, scaling and root planning, polishing, x-rays, application of sealants and fluorides, and related procedures.
• Develops and implements individualized dental care plans for patients; performs patient education, discharge planning, and patient/family teaching under the supervision of a qualified dentist.
• Provides chair-side assistance to dentist in the performance of special tests, procedures, and complex treatments.
• Makes impressions of patients' teeth for study casts.
• Documents dental history or chief complaint; records and reports pertinent observations and patient reactions to dental staff, as appropriate; documents lab procedures and ensures follow up on results.
• Assists with or institutes emergency measures for sudden adverse development during treatment of patients.
• Performs patient triage and initiates patient care as appropriate for walk-in patients.
• Affixes prior approvals for Mass Health as needed.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

• 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

• This position may require the ability to work long and arduous hours.
• Moderate physical activity.
• Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 25 pounds or standing and/or walking for more than four (4) hours per day.
• Work environment involves exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations that require following extensive safety precautions and may include the use of protective equipment.
• Will work with blood or blood-borne pathogens.
• This position requires the ability to use a computer workstation, viewing a CRT.