Dental Hygienist

Heart City Health•Elkhart, IN

32d

About The Position

Dental hygienists are licensed oral health professionals who focus on preventing and treating oral diseases, both to protect teeth and gums and also to protect patients’ total health.

Requirements

Must have a valid and current Dental Hygienist License
Must have a current CPR card
Excellent communication skills; active listening as well as written and oral comprehension/communication skills; Gives full attention to what individuals are saying, understands the point being made, asks appropriate questions to gain better knowledge of situation(s) and repeats information to ensure understanding
Excellent customer service skills; actively seeks ways to assist internal and external customers within the scope of assigned duties
Good computer skills; Outlook, Windows, Microsoft Office applications
Good time management skills; self evaluates the use of time and understands how others may be affected
Cultural diversity awareness and skills; respects all people regardless of race, nationality or social standing
Ability to work independently (self motivating) and as a team member
Ability to develop a collaborative therapeutic alliance with individuals and make accurate professional judgments
Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, providers, managers, patients and vendors
Problem sensitivity skills; empathetic/understanding
Deductive reasoning and problem-solving skills
Organized and detail oriented

Nice To Haves

Dentrix exposure preferred
Bilingual (Spanish/English) language skills helpful
Minimum of 1-2 years experience as a Hygienist preferred

Responsibilities

Greets and seats patients, making them as comfortable as possible
Checks every patient’s medical history for alerts, allergies and medications
Verifies procedure to be performed with patient; investigates further if a toothache is the chief complaint
Prepares proper procedural tray; associated instruments and materials
Prepares and maintains dental instruments (sterilize), rooms (sterilize), supplies and equipment
Manages patients during dental procedures keeping them comfortable
Performs oral health care assessments that include reviewing patients’ health history, dental charting and oral cancer screening
Take dental x-rays and develop them
Removes plaque, stain and calculus deposits from above and below the gumline using dental instruments
Applies cavity-preventive agents such as fluorides and sealants to the teeth
Teaches patients proper oral hygiene techniques to maintain healthy teeth and gums
Counsels patients on plaque control and developing individualized at home oral hygiene programs
Counsels patients on the importance of good nutrition for maintaining optimal oral health
Feels and visually examines gums for sores and signs of disease
Charts conditions of decay and disease for diagnosis and treatment by the dentist
Feels lymph nodes under the patient’s chin to detect swelling or tenderness that could indicate presence of oral cancer
Examines gums, using probes, to locate periodontal recessed gums and signs of gum disease and educates patient if applicable
Removes excess cement from the coronal surfaces of teeth
Enters complete and accurate chart notes documenting each patient’s visit
Prints out and delivers accurate route slips to front desk for patient check-out
Other duties as assigned