Dental Hygienist

ANCHORAGE NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CENTER INC•Anchorage, AK

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Dental Hygienist is responsible for treating and educating patients in the control and prevention of oral disease such as caries (cavities) and periodontal (gum) disease through proper oral hygiene and regular professional care. This role involves reviewing patient medical and dental history, providing direct patient care including prophylaxis, fluoride treatment, sealants, and periodontal scaling and root planing. The hygienist also takes and processes dental x-rays, uses local anesthetic as needed, monitors patient comfort, and performs oral cancer examinations. They are responsible for clinical dental health education activities, recognizing and responding to emergencies, and maintaining accurate patient records using Dentrix software. This includes charting dental examinations, updating health histories, noting periodontal health, and making entries for future appointments. The role also involves collaborating with dentists for referrals, communicating with assistants for inventory management, using appropriate procedural coding, and adhering to infection control standards, HIPAA compliance, and OSHA/CDC requirements. The position requires functioning safely and professionally at all times, keeping accurate records, contacting patients for cleanings, and answering dental hygiene questions. Supporting duties may include assisting with equipment maintenance, inventory control, and performing dental assistant duties as needed.

Requirements

Must have two full years’ experience as a dental hygienist.
BS degree from an accredited college or university with a major in dental hygiene or a bachelor's degree supplemented by completion of training in an accredited school of dental hygiene; or possession of an associate degree from an accredited school of dental hygiene.
Must have a State of Alaska dental hygiene license and a State of Alaska Anesthesia license.
Must have and maintain a current Basic Life Support certification.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual preferred

Responsibilities

Reviews patient medical and dental history with the patient for currency and accuracy.
Gives direct patient care by providing thorough and gentle prophylaxis, fluoride treatment, sealants, patient education, periodontal examinations, periodontal scaling and root planning, selective polishing, overhang removal, application of desensitizing agents, oral cancer examination.
Takes blood sugar (when appropriate), and blood pressure on all adult patients and records in the chart.
Takes and processes several types of dental x-rays.
Practices within the scope of education, training, and personal capabilities.
Uses local anesthetic as needed for patient comfort.
Check on patient comfort during treatment; helps allay patient anxiety.
Communicates with patients in an understandable and professional way.
Responsible for clinical dental health education activities.
Recognizes and responds to emergencies.
Charts dental examinations in Dentrix.
Updates patient health history in Dentrix.
Makes accurate chart notes in Dentrix including the next visit and time needed.
Charts and dates each patient’s periodontal health.
Records accurate notes and initial entries on the provided treatment.
Collaborates with dentist when the case is appropriate for referral.
Communicates with the assistants in keeping inventory stocked and ordered.
Uses appropriate procedural coding.
Complies with “Universal Precautions” for infection control.
Maintains and fully understands the importance of patient confidentiality and HIPAA compliance.
Follows job related Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Center for Disease Control and Prevention requirements.
Functions at all times in a safe and professional manner.
Keeps accurate patient records, contacts patients for periodic cleaning, and answers patients' questions on dental hygiene.
Assists in maintenance of equipment.
Assists with inventory control.
May perform dental assistant duties as needed.