Dental Hygienist III

Basic Function

The incumbent performs oral prophylaxis and periodontal therapy in the prevention of or protective treatment of oral disease. Supervises and coordinates community-based programs and provides off-site direct dental care and outreach to high-risk patient groups (children, elders, etc.).

General Responsibilities

• Performs oral prophylaxis and scaling in the prevention of oral disease.
• Takes and develops diagnostic radiographs.
• Observes the condition of structures and tissues within the oral cavity, recording findings and reporting conditions to the Dentist.
• Provides onsite and offsite fluoride treatments as a preventive measure to children up to sixteen years of age.
• Provides detailed instruction to all patients on the methods and importance of good oral hygiene, reflecting on each patient and knowledge specific to the various clinical or community program served.
• Provides direct off-site preventive and routine care in conjunction with coordinated community based prevention and patient education programs, including school-based preventive care delivered at ECLC Health Offices.
• May be required to assist Dentist in the absence of the dental assistant.
• Participates and completes all mandatory staff meetings, trainings and in-services.
• Follows all policies and procedures of the department, Seneca Nation Health System (SNHS) and the Seneca Nation.

Qualifications

• Completion of an accredited dental hygiene program and NYS licensing as a Registered Dental Hygienist required.
• Associates Degree in Applied Sciences required.
• Three years’ experience at an FQHC with involvement in community-based programming is required.
• Five years’ experience in a non-FQHC setting with prior community-based programming is preferred.
• Credentialed as an adjunct clinical instructor with an affiliated Dental School (e.g. UBSDM) for supervision and instruction of University Dental Interns providing periodontal and hygiene care to SNHS patients.
• Experience in a large hospital, academic medical center, outpatient health care setting, or Indian Health Service (IHS)/tribal health, preferred.