DENTAL HYGIENIST (2844)

CVHS HEALTH SERVICES

34d•Onsite

About The Position

The Dental Hygienist is responsible for preparing treatment rooms, collecting medical and dental histories, charting dental conditions, and instructing patients on proper dental hygiene. Key duties include taking and developing x-rays, providing chair-side assistance to the dentist, and maintaining dental instruments through sharpening and sterilization. The role involves performing dental prophylaxis, detecting oral diseases through screenings and examinations, and applying cavity-preventing agents. The hygienist also assists in managing dental and medical emergencies by maintaining CPR certification and emergency supplies. Maintaining a safe, clean, and infection-controlled working environment is crucial, as is ensuring the proper operation of dental equipment and managing dental supplies inventory. The position requires excellent oral and written communication skills, knowledge of dental technology and health maintenance, and adherence to HIPAA requirements. The ability to work independently, take initiative, and communicate effectively with diverse patient populations is essential. Educational requirements include an Associate’s degree from an accredited hygiene program, a state hygiene license, and current CPR certification, along with the ability to use an x-ray machine.

Requirements

Must demonstrate excellent oral and written skills.
Knowledge of Dental Technology, Dental Health Maintenance, Infection Control, Health Promotion and Maintenance
Must be able to work independently
Takes initiative
Respects and understand HIPAA requirements with regards to patient confidentiality.
Ability to communicate with and relate to people of different cultures, particularly those with poor socio-economic backgrounds
Demonstrates competence for the essential job functions
Associate’s degree from an accredited hygiene program
State hygiene license
Current CPR certification
Ability to use an x-ray machine

Responsibilities

Prepares treatment room for patient by adhering to prescribed procedures and protocols.
Collect medical and dental histories from patients
Chart dental conditions based on dentist’s observations and evaluations
Instruct patients of all ages on proper dental hygiene and care
Take x-rays of patients’ teeth and develop them for dentist’s use
Provide chair-side assistance during dental procedures
Maintains instrumentation for dental hygiene treatment by sharpening, sterilizing, and selecting instruments.
Completes dental prophylaxis by cleaning deposits and stains from teeth and from beneath gum margins.
Detects disease by completing oral cancer screening; feeling and visually examining gums; using probes to locate periodontal disease and to assess levels of recession; exposing and developing radiographic studies.
Applies fluorides and other cavity- preventing agents
Helps dentist manage dental and medical emergencies by maintaining CPR certification, emergency drugs and oxygen supply, and directory of emergency numbers
Maintains safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations
Protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols
Ensures operation of dental equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements
Maintains dental supplies inventory by checking stock to determine inventory level; anticipating needed supplies; placing and expediting orders for supplies; verifying receipt of supplies
Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Loan Repayment Eligible: Employment qualifies for the National Health Service Corps
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Eligible Employer: CVHS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
Retirement Plan with 5% Employer Contribution to the retirement plan (no employee contribution required)
Comprehensive Benefits Package including Health with no co-pay, Dental, Vision, Disability, Wellness Reimbursement, and more
Malpractice Coverage Provided
Continuing Education Expense Reimbursement
Tuition Reimbursement
Fully Integrated Electronic Health Record (EHR) – eClinicalWorks (eCW)
10 Employer-Paid Holidays Per Year
Vacation, Sick, and CME Leave