Dental Hygienist

Location: Tacoma • Full-Time • 4-10 Hour Shifts

About the Role

The Dental Hygienist works in collaboration with a dental team to provide dental care and education to patients. The Dental Hygienist will utilize interpersonal skills to motivate and partner with patients in maintaining oral health wellness and prevent oral disease. All duties and functions will be performed within the parameters of their state’s Dental Practice Act, the Willamette Dental mission, evidence-based treatment philosophy, and core values. WD hygienists are encouraged to pursue education and gain the ultimate levels of licensure and certification allowed by each state’s Dental Practice Act.

Responsibilities

• Apply the dental hygiene process of care (Assessment, Dental Hygiene Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation) as a framework for care delivery.
• Gather accurate patient data for systemic and oral comprehensive assessment, including but not limited to:
  • Review of medical, dental, and social history
  • Take and/or update blood pressure
  • Perform extra-oral and intra-oral exams
  • Chart and record dental and periodontal findings
  • Conduct risk assessment through patient interviewing
  • Expose and evaluate diagnostic radiographs within treatment and ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) guidelines
  • Document assessment findings in Electronic Dental Records (EDR) system
• Document assessment findings and communicate these with the doctor of record to establish a dental hygiene treatment plan.
• Communicate and reinforce the treatment plan to the patient; discuss additional costs associated with treatment and obtain patient consent.
• Render appropriate dental hygiene care as dictated by the treatment plan and ethics of the profession, including but not limited to:
  • Explanation of Procedure, Alternatives, Risks, and answer patient questions (PARQ)
  • Prophy, scaling, and polishing
  • Scaling and root planing
  • Oral health education and prognosis
  • Nutritional counseling and prognosis
  • Smoking cessation and prognosis
  • Local anesthesia or N₂O when necessary
  • Preventative and therapeutic fluoride, sealants, and restorations as needed according to individual state scope of practice
• Engage and educate the patient as a partner in care; recommend self-care based on individual patient risks, conditions, and capabilities.
• Continuously evaluate and counsel the patient concerning oral health status and recommend modifications of the dental hygiene treatment plan to the doctor of record and the patient.
• Recommend patient products according to individual patient needs, risks, and symptoms.
• Perform infection control procedures including disinfection and sterilization as appropriate; utilize appropriate barrier techniques.
• Communicate effectively with dental teams and patients as an educator and advocate.
• Adhere to infection control policy and guidelines; utilize PPE and engineering controls appropriately.
• Assist coworkers, maintain operatory, and sharpen instruments.
• Strict adherence to Willamette Dental’s Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) policy, including the use of N95 respirators and other PPE as required.
• Flexibility to travel to other WD locations within a reasonable range as described in the Travel Policy as needed.
• Reliable and predictable attendance is essential.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited dental hygiene program.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Current BLS certification.
• Current dental hygiene license in good standing.
• Local anesthesia endorsement; required.
• N₂O permit; required and kept current.

Pay

Expected hourly hiring range: $61.00 - $71.00 USD. The actual base pay offered to the successful candidate will be based on multiple factors, including but not limited to education, job-related knowledge/skills, experience, geographical location, and internal equity. This position is also eligible for incentive pay in accordance with the terms of the Company’s plan.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Flexible spending accounts
• 401(k) retirement plan with 5% match
• Accidental death and dismemberment insurance
• Life insurance
• Voluntary disability insurance
• Commuter benefits
• Two complimentary pairs of Fig scrubs (clinical roles)
• Employee assistance program
• Paid Time Off (PTO): Eligible employees accrue a minimum of 120 PTO hours per employment year in addition to seven paid holidays annually. The PTO program combines vacation and sick leave, which is more generous than Washington State’s Sick Leave Law. Employees in part-time roles working less than 40 hours per week will accrue PTO on a pro-rated basis.

Physical Requirements

The work is primarily performed while sitting and/or standing but will require occasional walking, bending, stooping, and carrying light items such as papers, books, or other supplies. The incumbent uses a computer and other standard office equipment to complete tasks.