Dental Hygienist

Winnebago Comprehensive Healthcare System•Winnebago, NE

12d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is a Registered Dental Hygienist at the Winnebago Comprehensive Healthcare System Dental Clinic. This position is responsible for the comprehensive planning, implementation and evaluation for the preventative dental program in consideration of both the clinical and community components.

Requirements

Registered Dental Assistant from an ADA approved school.
Licensed to practice dentistry in the State of Nebraska with no restrictions.
Proven ability to create dental programs, which benefit dental communities.
Ability to connect with the community and be able to give a continuity of care.
Interest in the health needs of Native American populations.
Public Health Core Competencies for this Position: Public Health Sciences, Analysis and Assessment, Leadership and Systems Thinking, Communication and Cultural Competency, Financial Planning and Management.
Normal to light office work which includes the ability to lift up to 10 lbs.
Regularly required to walk, stand, and sit for extended periods of time and use hands to operate computer keyboard, phone, and various office equipment.
Reading, writing, calculating
Above average social interaction skills
Reasoning/Analysis
Ability to work effectively both independently and as a team
Works with minimal to no supervision
Must possess the ability to read, write, and speak the English language fluently.
Must be able to continually and effectively employ professional verbal and written communications skills.
All applicants will comply with 45 CFR 1301, Subpart D, Section 1301.31, C and D, which require all prospective employees to sign a declaration prior to employment regarding all arrests and convictions of child abuse or violent felonies and to comply with PL 101-630 and PL 101-637 regarding criminal records check.

Responsibilities

Responsible for ascertaining the oral health status of the population regarding periodontal and other oral conditions using a variety of screening and information gathering methods.
Develops a plan to address the dental program priorities to utilize available resources toward improving oral health status of the population, sealant programs and other appropriate preventive programs, which will lead to improved oral health.
Evaluates program results and provides the Chief of the dental program modifications to the program initiated based on described outcomes.
Provides educational programs to dentist, dental assistants, dental hygienists, medical staff, community health representatives, and other health workers who interact with the targeted population regarding appropriate strategies to prevent dental diseases.
Provides educational programs for community groups, tribal leaders, school officials and other interested parties.
Responsible for a community program for the prevention of dental disease within the geographical boundaries of the Service Unit including management of school-based sealant programs and community fluoride delivery.
Serves as a clinical dental hygienist responsible for performing advanced prophylactic and preventive dental procedures in the treatment of patients with related medical and dental problems, such as, diabetic complications, compromising heart disease, and severe caries and periodontal disease.
Completes preliminary dental examinations on new dental service patients.
Refers abnormalities such as cavities, traumatic occlusion, and suspicious lesions to the dentist.
Prepares dental hygiene treatment plans for patients including assessment of the problem, type of oral hygiene care required, and the sequence of appointments needed to complete treatment.
Performs a complete oral prophylaxis on ambulatory and non-ambulatory patients.
Performs deep sub gingival scaling, root planning, and curettage and administers local anesthesia.
Polishes the teeth and applies fluoride for hypersensitivity and caries prevention.
Gives home care instructions to patients after curettage.
Provides bedside prophylactic treatment using specialized procedures for non-ambulatory patients.
Selects patients and applies sealants and topical fluorides for individual patients.
In post-operative care of oral surgery and periodontal surgery patients, performs suture removal, changes dressings, applies topical anesthetics, impressions for construction of mouth guards, applies fluoride, and maintains recall system for careful follow-up of each patient.
Educates patient on need for daily oral health and fluoride treatment.
Assists the dentist by making repairs and adjustments to the teeth by smoothing rough edges of restorations, removing overhanging margins of fillings, reducing sharp edges of fractured teeth, polishing and finishing amalgam restorations, and inserting temporary fillings in teeth.
Instruct patients at chair side in oral hygiene, brushing and flossing techniques, and periodontal aids, which increase the amount of stimulation to the periodontium.
Plans and adapts instructions in home care techniques, tailoring them to the oral hygiene needs and oral problems of individual patients.
Explains to patients the causes of periodontal disease and tooth decay, and the importance of diet as it relates to oral and systemic health.
Regularly instructs nurses, health educators, social workers, nursing assistants, community health representatives, and other medical staff in the proper techniques of oral hygiene to be applied to clients.
Presents lectures and demonstrates in oral health care to various patient and community groups such as diabetics, hemo dialysis patients, and drug or alcohol dependent patients, health boards, etc., by using slides, denture models, toothbrushes, charts, and other dental education materials.