Dental Hygienist

Winnebago Comprehensive Healthcare System•Winnebago, NE

11d

About The Position

The Registered Dental Hygienist at the Winnebago Dental Clinic is responsible for comprehensive planning, implementation, and evaluation of the preventive dental program, including both clinical and community components. Approximately 10% of the role is community-focused and approximately 90% is clinical. The hygienist assesses community oral health needs, develops and evaluates preventive programs, and provides oral-health education to health professionals, community groups, and other stakeholders. Clinically, the hygienist provides advanced preventive and prophylactic care, examines patients, prepares treatment plans, performs procedures, and educates patients on oral hygiene and disease prevention. The position also supports dental providers and participates in public health competencies related to assessment, leadership, communication, cultural competency, and program management.

Requirements

Registered Dental Hygienist credential from an ADA-approved school.
Demonstrated ability to create dental programs that benefit dental communities.
Ability to connect with the community and provide continuity of care.
Interest in the health needs of Native American populations.
Fluency in reading, writing, and speaking English, with effective professional verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to read, write, calculate, reason, and analyze; above-average social interaction skills; and ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Ability to work with minimal to no supervision.
Compliance with 45 CFR 1301, Subpart D, Section 1301.31(C) and (D), including signing a declaration regarding arrests and convictions for child abuse or violent felonies before employment.
Compliance with PL 101-630 and PL 101-637 criminal-record-check requirements.

Responsibilities

Assess community oral-health status, including periodontal and other oral conditions, and incorporate identified special problems into program planning.
Develop preventive dental program plans that use available resources to improve community oral health, including sealant and other prevention programs.
Evaluate program results and recommend modifications to the Chief of the dental program based on outcomes.
Educate dental and medical personnel, community health representatives, other health workers, community groups, tribal leaders, school officials, and other interested parties about dental disease prevention.
Manage community dental disease prevention efforts within the Service Unit, including school-based sealant programs and community fluoride delivery.
Perform advanced prophylactic and preventive dental procedures for patients with related medical and dental conditions.
Complete preliminary dental examinations for new patients; review medical and dental histories; examine and chart teeth and surrounding tissues; inspect the mouth and throat; and interpret routine X-rays.
Refer abnormalities, including cavities, traumatic occlusion, and suspicious lesions, to the dentist.
Prepare dental hygiene treatment plans, including assessment of needs, required care, and appointment sequence.
Perform oral prophylaxis for ambulatory and non-ambulatory patients, including deep subgingival scaling, root planing, curettage, local anesthesia, polishing, fluoride application, and bedside prophylaxis as appropriate.
Select patients for and apply sealants and topical fluorides; provide home-care instructions and educate patients on oral health and fluoride treatment.
Provide post-operative care for oral and periodontal surgery patients, including suture removal, dressing changes, topical anesthetics, impressions for mouth guards, fluoride application, and recall follow-up.
Assist the dentist with smoothing restorations, removing overhanging filling margins, reducing sharp fractured-tooth edges, polishing and finishing amalgam restorations, and placing temporary fillings.
Teach patients oral hygiene, brushing and flossing techniques, periodontal aids, and individualized home-care methods; explain causes of dental disease and the relationship between diet and oral and systemic health.
Instruct nurses, health educators, social workers, nursing assistants, community health representatives, and other medical staff in oral hygiene techniques.
Present oral-health lectures and demonstrations to patient and community groups using educational materials and models.
Contribute to continuous improvement of individual, program, and organizational performance; participate in or provide professional development opportunities.
Apply ethical data principles and communicate public health information to influence behavior and improve health.
Gather input and facilitate communication among individuals, groups, organizations, and local government to improve community health.
Establish and motivate teams to achieve program and organizational goals.