Dental Hygienist

About the Role

Under the supervision of a licensed Dentist in a clinical setting and using established dental hygiene protocols and procedures, the Dental Hygienist provides professional, high-quality dental care and education to a broad range of patients.

Responsibilities

• Diagnoses and treats diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums, and related oral structures.
• Examines patients to determine nature of condition, utilizing x-rays, dental instruments, and other diagnostic procedures.
• Provides preventive dental services to patients, such as applications of fluoride and sealants to teeth, and education in oral and dental hygiene.
• Institutes and supervises oral hygiene practices; ensures aseptic techniques of treatment are followed.
• Acquires and supervises maintenance of supplies and equipment necessary to perform all types of dental treatment.
• Coordinates local dental health projects; directs and participates in dental examinations of school-age children; promotes dental health programs in public schools.
• Serves as an area consultant in promoting dental health education with local health departments; conducts state-wide programs with local agencies and assists in establishing and maintaining effective programs on the local level.
• Examines and determines need for dental treatment of patients entering institution or clinic; participates in dental treatment by performing all procedures required to establish and maintain proper dental health for patients.
• Serves as a consultant in dental problems to other medical and para-medical services in the institution, clinic, or other health facilities.
• Assists in promoting and maintaining good public relations among community groups and professional health organizations such as the North Carolina Dental Society.
• Ensures patients’ charts and dental records are correctly maintained through accurate recording of all dental procedures performed on patients.
• Provides high-quality dental hygiene care within the scope of service consistent with accepted standards of care.
• Evaluates patients and implements treatment regimens under the supervision of the Dentist.
• Provides complete documentation of all findings, treatments, and outcomes.
• Initiates oral health education and prevention activities.
• Reviews and interprets patient dental records.
• Works cooperatively with other Dental Program staff.
• Assists where needed to ensure smooth, efficient running of the Dental Program.

Requirements

• Graduation from an approved school of dentistry.
• Two years of experience in the general practice of dentistry.