Dental Hygienist

University of Rochester • Rochester, NY

8d • $37 - $50 • Onsite

About The Position

As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive.

This position provides oral health care taking into consideration a patient's emotional and physical status including oral health education, treating incipient and advanced cases of dental diseases and the application of preventive therapeutic agents. The role involves obtaining comprehensive medical and dental health histories, performing complete assessments, oral facial examinations, oral cancer screenings, and assessing oral hygiene status, caries, and periodontal disease. The Dental Hygienist develops individualized treatment plans, including behavior modification programs, and provides instruction in oral physiotherapy and bacterial plaque control. They also monitor hygiene recall systems and document all patient interactions and treatments in medical records. Responsibilities extend to administering oral prophylaxis, root planing, polishing teeth, applying topical and therapeutic agents, and obtaining radiographs. The role includes acting as a co-therapist with Dentists and General Practice Residents in diagnostic procedures, treatment planning, and preventive maintenance programs. Additionally, the Dental Hygienist participates in orienting and teaching dental hygiene students, providing classes to outpatient groups, and instructing in-house patients and nursing staff. Maintaining a clean and disinfected operatory, managing instrument sterilization, and disposing of hazardous waste are crucial. The position also involves coordinating equipment maintenance, arranging for dental representative presentations, and participating in departmental committees and meetings. Specific duties include managing programs for special care patients, communicating findings for the Xerostomia Program, providing education on oral side effects of radiation therapy, and liaising between departments. Ongoing communication with the Bone Marrow Transplant Center and follow-up care coordination are also part of the role. Administrative tasks include completing clinic record reviews, audits, patient encounter forms for billing, and preparing prescriptions. Participation and assistance in research studies are also expected, along with other assigned duties.

Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited program in Dental Hygiene and 2 years experience in Clinical Dentistry required Or equivalent combination of education and experience
• ADHA - Dental Hygienist - State Licensure NYS upon hire required

Responsibilities

• Obtains a comprehensive medical and dental health history.
• Performs a complete assessment of patients, including vital signs.
• Completes oral facial examination.
• Provides oral cancer screening.
• Assesses oral hygiene status.
• Completes caries examination.
• Probes for and assesses periodontal disease.
• Completes occlusion evaluation.
• Assesses the need for medication and preventive therapeutic agents.
• Develops individualized treatment plan for each patient with awareness of and attention to the special needs of the mentally handicapped, physically compromised or physically handicapped.
• Develops program plan for behavior modification with the patient.
• Individualizes instruction in oral physiotherapy and bacterial plaque control.
• Re-evaluates oral health and dietary counseling.
• Monitors hygiene recall system.
• Documents health assessment, treatment plan, treatment rendered and existing conditions of intra and extra-oral structures in medical record.
• Administers oral prophylaxis.
• Provides root planing.
• Polishes teeth, including existing restorations.
• Applies topical and therapeutic agents and applies sealants.
• Assesses need for and obtains radiographs.
• Acts as co-therapist with the Dentist in providing and reviewing diagnostic aids, study models, radiographs and charting of hard and soft tissues.
• Obtains alginate impressions for the fabrication of custom fluoride trays and study models.
• Removes sutures.
• Places and removes temporary restorations and periodontal dressings.
• Exposes and processes radiographs.
• Administers fluoride therapy.
• Collects saliva samples and measures salivary flow rates.
• Acts as co-therapist with the General Practice Residents and private dentists in periodontal treatment planning and establishes a preventive maintenance program.
• Participates in the yearly hygiene orientation to new dental Residents and acts as a resource to the General Practice Residents in regard to preventive oral health care.
• Orients and provides clinical teaching of dental hygiene students.
• Provides dental hygiene classes to Outpatient groups.
• Provides dental hygiene instruction for in-house patients and the Nursing staff.
• Cleans and disinfects operatory after each procedure.
• Disinfects, bags and seals ultrasonic instruments.
• Disposes of hazardous waste and toxic chemicals according to hospital policy.
• Arranges and coordinates equipment maintenance and repairs.
• Ensures maintenance and optimal instrument effectiveness for periodontal procedures.
• Arranges for dental representatives to provide inservice presentations to the Department of Clinical Dentistry.
• Participates on various departmental committees.
• Participates in monthly meetings.
• Manages and coordinates programs involving special care patients.
• Communicates findings in writing to the Department of Radiation Oncology and the patient's private dentist for Xerostomia Program.
• Provides patient education and management of oral side effects of radiation therapy.
• Provides patient with written information and recommendations for oral health care during radiation therapy.
• Relates all clinical findings and reports oral side effects to the Program Director for evaluation and recommendation.
• Acts as primary liaison between Department of Clinical Dentistry and Department of Radiation Oncology.
• Orients Radiation Oncology staff.
• Maintains ongoing communication with the Bone Marrow Transplant Center and coordinates follow-up care for post-transplant patients.
• Completes clinic record review forms and audits such as operating room sterility audit and Faculty Practice chart review.
• Completes patient encounter forms for billing of services rendered, requisitions for laboratory tests and prepares prescription forms for medications or fluoride therapy and obtains Dentist's signature.
• Participates and assists in the coordination of research studies.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Characteristics). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates, for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree