Registered Dental Hygienist

About the role

Provides patients with preventive, educational and therapeutic services supporting total health for the control/maintenance of oral diseases and promotion of oral health. Dental providers are expected to manage all patients and conditions within the scope of their training and approved privileges.

Responsibilities

• Record medical and dental histories, including allergies and medications.
• Take and record patient vital signs, i.e. blood pressure readings.
• Review basic health status and understand its impact in dentistry and document appropriately in patient record.
• Perform screening and diagnostic tests of teeth and surrounding tissues and record findings for interpretation by a dentist.
• Record existing restorations and missing teeth, including periodontal findings in patient’s record.
• Aid in the detection of oral diseases and conditions.
• Take necessary radiographic images such as panorex, bitewings and periapicals.
• Follow radiation safety procedures, standards and protocols.
• Perform dental prophylaxis and/or debridement, which may include supra- and subgingival scaling of teeth to remove plaque and calculus using hand instruments and/or ultrasonic scalers.
• Apply topical anticariogenic agents and pit and fissure sealants.
• Provide dental health education and nutritional counseling.
• Complete all appropriate documentation in a timely manner according to FamilyCare Policy.
• Responsible for recare system.
• Assist in scheduling recare and/or follow-up appointments.
• Work closely with dentist and dental assistant on patient consultations and preparing treatment plan.
• Observe all health and safety requirements.
• Maintain patient confidentiality through HIPAA compliance.
• Perform all functions in compliance with infection control policies and protocol including but not limited to the use of personal protective equipment and standard precautions.
• Complies with the rules and regulations to practice standard of care as established by the WV Board of Dentistry.
• Complies with FamilyCare policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrate positive customer service and co-worker relations.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings and requested committees.
• Participate in Community Health Programs such as health fairs, visiting daycare centers and schools, and Head Start.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• The employee is regularly required to move, stand, walk, sit, talk, hear and smell.
• Frequent bending, twisting and position changes in order to examine and service patients.
• Excellent eye-hand coordination and finger dexterity.
• The employee occasionally must lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
• Excellent aural ability in an environment with multiple noise and activity.
• Ability to tolerate bright overhead lights and noise of dental equipment.
• Occupational risk with exposure to communicable diseases, blood and/or body fluids, exposure to chemicals, injury from sharp and delicate equipment, radiation exposure and other conditions common to a clinical environment may routinely be encountered.

Qualifications

• An Associate or Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited dental hygiene program and/or school.
• Current West Virginia license to practice as a dental hygienist as issued by the WV Board of Dentistry.
• If eligible, may engage in Public Health practice rendering all services allowed under general supervision as defined by the WV Board of Dentistry.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(K)
• Paid time off
• Discount programs