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Dental Hygienist

The Dental Hygienist is responsible for the direct provision of oral hygiene and appropriate preventive services to dental patients of the center. The Dental Hygienist will also be responsible for providing appropriate oral health information to individuals and groups. This position promotes dental health by completing dental prophylaxis; providing oral cancer screening and radiographic studies; charting conditions of decay and disease; and performing procedures in compliance with the dental practice act. The Dental Hygienist travels and fills in at other Eskenazi Health Center (EHC) Dental sites as needed.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Prepares treatment room for patient by adhering to prescribed procedures and protocols.
• Prepares patient for dental hygiene treatment by welcoming, soothing, seating, and draping patient.
• Provides information to patients and employees by answering questions and requests.
• Maintains instrumentation for dental hygiene treatment by sharpening, sterilizing, and selecting instruments.
• Selects materials and equipment for dental hygiene visit by evaluating patient’s oral health.
• Assists in the oral health management of all clinic patients.
• Obtains baseline oral hygiene assessment data based upon accepted principles of oral hygiene and periodontal care.
• Provides clinical oral hygiene services including dental prophylaxis, scaling, sealant application and fluoride application consistent with accepted professional practices and standards and in compliance with applicable state law and the center’s clinical protocols.
• Detects disease by completing oral cancer screening; feeling and visually examining gums; using probes to locate periodontal disease and to assess levels of recession; exposing and developing radiographic studies.
• Arrests dental decay by applying fluorides and other cavity-preventing agents.
• Maintains patient appearance and ability to masticate by fabricating temporary restorations; cleaning and polishing removable appliances; placing, carving, and finishing amalgam restorations; removing cement from crowns and bridges.
• Helps dentist manage dental and medical emergencies by maintaining CPR certification, emergency drugs and oxygen supply, and directory of emergency numbers.
• Educates patients by giving oral hygiene and plaque control instructions and postoperative instructions; providing reminders of time of next dental hygiene visit.
• Records patient-hygienist transactions as they occur in the patient’s dental record so that the dental record accurately and completely reflects the nature of the contact, the condition of the patient and the care or treatment provided.
• Maintains patient confidence and protects operatories by keeping information confidential.
• Maintains safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols.
• Ensures operation of dental equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; following manufacturer’s instructions; troubleshooting malfunctions; calling for repairs; maintaining equipment inventories; evaluating new equipment and techniques.
• Maintains dental supplies inventory by checking stock to determine inventory level; anticipating needed supplies; placing and expediting orders for supplies; verifying receipt of supplies.
• Conserves dental resources by using equipment and supplies as needed to accomplish job results.
• Integrates appropriate patient dental hygiene care with other health care professionals involved in the patient’s health care management.
• Performs independent procedures as delegated and directed by a dentist in accordance with state regulations and law as well as Dental Department protocol and directive.

Job Requirements:

• Associate degree in Dental Hygiene or Applied Science degree with Dental Hygiene concentration or equivalent from a dental hygiene program accredited by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
• Successful completion of the Dental Hygiene National Board Exam and licensed as a dental hygienist in the State of Indiana.
• Required to obtain 14 hours of continuing education every 2 years, with 50% of them in live presentation or live workshops.
• Required to maintain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Basic computer and mathematic skills.
• Exhibits hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity when working with patients and/or equipment.
• Ability to:
  • Assess age-specific and population-specific needs of patients.
  • Effectively educate patients/families.
  • Recognize emergent situations and act appropriately.
  • Understand and carry out written orders.
  • Stand/walk for extensive periods of time.
• Demonstrated sensitivity, tolerance and respect to diversity issues/concerns and for others by treating all customers and co-workers with dignity.
• Ability to uses tact and diplomacy in all communication.
• Demonstrated adaptability and sense of priorities.
• Knowledge of dental procedures, medical terminology, dental equipment and supplies.
• Good bedside manner.
• Ability to create a safe, effective environment.
• Good listening skills.
• Knowledge of medication administration.
• Excellent customer service skills.