Dental Hygienist

Delta Health Center•Mound Bayou, MS

48d

About The Position

The Dental Hygienist is to assist the dentist in providing oral health care to patients by cleaning, scaling and polishing teeth, taking and processing x-rays, and providing instructions on oral hygiene to patients, personnel and public.

Requirements

Graduate of a dental school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association (ADA) or comparable program with an Associate Degree or its equivalent and 2-4 years of experience and is licensed as a dental hygienist in the State of Mississippi.
Must be licensed by the State of Mississippi as a Dental Hygienist.

Responsibilities

Works under the direct supervision of a dentist, promotes a team concept, maintains effective rapport with patients, dentists, other staff members and community.
Responsible for patient screening procedures such as assessment of oral health conditions, review of the health history, oral cancer screening, head and neck inspection, dental charting and taking blood pressure and pulse.
Takes and develops dental radiographs (x-rays).
Removes calculus and plaque (hard and soft deposits) from all surfaces of the teeth.
Applies preventive materials to the teeth (e.g. sealants and fluorides).
Teaches patients appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health (e.g., tooth brushing, flossing and nutritional counseling).
Counsels patients regarding good nutrition and its impact on oral health.
Makes impressions of patients’ teeth for study casts (models of teeth used by dentists to evaluate patient treatment needs).
Performs documentation and office management activities.
Checks and maintains equipment and submits supply orders as necessary.
Follows infection control procedures for hygiene treatment area.
Reviews, selects and submits orders for patient education materials.
Works with Receptionist/Office Manager to schedule hygiene patients with efficiency.
Communicates effectively and professionally with patients, checks on patient comfort during treatment and helps to allay patient anxiety.
Performs other tasks assigned by Dentist.