Dental Hygienist

About Us

Delta Health Center, Inc. (DHC) is the first community health center of its kind. Also, it’s the first Federally Qualified Community Health Center (FQHC) in the United States. DHC is a non-profit organization that is located in historic Bolivar County, Mississippi, where it opened its doors in 1965. At Delta Health Center, we continue to build a world class primary health care system committed to caring for vulnerable populations from newborns to the elderly.

Job Description

Job Title: Dental Hygienist
Department: Dental/Clinical
Reports To: Dental Director/Dental Services Manager
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Summary

The Dental Hygienist is to assist the dentist in providing oral health care to patients by cleaning, scaling and polishing teeth, taking and processing x-rays, and providing instructions on oral hygiene to patients, personnel and public.

• Works under the direct supervision of a dentist, promotes a team concept, maintains effective rapport with patients, dentists, other staff members and community.
• Responsible for patient screening procedures such as assessment of oral health conditions, review of the health history, oral cancer screening, head and neck inspection, dental charting and taking blood pressure and pulse.
• Takes and develops dental radiographs (x-rays).
• Removes calculus and plaque (hard and soft deposits) from all surfaces of the teeth.
• Applies preventive materials to the teeth (e.g. sealants and fluorides).
• Teaches patients appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health (e.g., tooth brushing, flossing and nutritional counseling).
• Counsels patients regarding good nutrition and its impact on oral health.
• Makes impressions of patients’ teeth for study casts (models of teeth used by dentists to evaluate patient treatment needs).
• Performs documentation and office management activities.
• Checks and maintains equipment and submits supply orders as necessary.
• Follows infection control procedures for hygiene treatment area.
• Reviews, selects and submits orders for patient education materials.
• Works with Receptionist/Office Manager to schedule hygiene patients with efficiency.
• Communicates effectively and professionally with patients, checks on patient comfort during treatment and helps to allay patient anxiety.
• Performs other tasks assigned by Dentist.
• May supervise one dental assistant who assists in the performance of dental hygienist activities.

Qualifications

• Education And/Or Experience: Graduate of a dental school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association (ADA) or comparable program with an Associate Degree or its equivalent and 2-4 years of experience and is licensed as a dental hygienist in the State of Mississippi.
• Reasoning Abilities: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, reach with hands and arms, and taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and holidays
• 401-k (up to 3% match)
• Continuing education opportunities
• Supportive, team-oriented environment

Schedule

Salary: Negotiable