Dental Hygienist

Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System • Springfield, MO

13d

About The Position

The Dental Hygienist plans and directs a preventive dental health program for an inmate population. The position provides oral prophylaxis and oral health instruction, develops teaching aids and preventive methods, and teaches proper oral hygiene individually and in groups. Instruction may use teeth models, displays, disclosing solutions, toothbrushes, floss, and other dental hygiene aids. The incumbent also helps maintain institutional security; correctional responsibilities take precedence over other duties and are performed regularly.

Requirements

• Hold a current, active, and unrestricted license to practice as a dental hygienist in a U.S. state or territory, or the District of Columbia; applicants must submit proof of licensure.
• Submit evidence of completing a program qualifying the applicant to administer X-rays or perform radiologic procedures; acceptable evidence includes a transcript or other documentation of relevant coursework. Self-certification is not accepted.
• Have one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade level, including oral prophylactic care and oral health education for patients.
• For positions involving X-rays, have experience taking and interpreting X-rays.
• Meet applicable radiologic credentialing standards, including completion of qualifying accredited education and certification as a radiographer, or an applicable recognized exception described in the announcement.
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Meet the Selective Service requirement, if applicable.
• Complete pre-employment screening, including a panel interview, urinalysis, physical examination, background investigation, NCIC and credit checks.
• Complete the required three-week Introduction to Correctional Techniques training course at Glynco, Georgia.
• There is no substitution of education for experience at this grade level.
• Provide documentation of actual time spent in qualifying activities, including hours worked per week, for experience to be credited.

Nice To Haves

• Experience exposing, processing, and mounting intraoral and extraoral X-rays, including bite-wing, periapical, occlusal, and panoramic films.
• Experience establishing dental health education programs for community groups, including the general population and medically compromised patients.
• Experience providing therapeutic and preventive procedures through expanded-duty functions, including reversible restorative procedures, postoperative treatment, and suture removal.
• Experience preparing patients for periodontal surgery by performing deep scaling and root planing, recording pocket depth and disease severity, and providing postoperative care.
• For higher grade levels, experience performing advanced oral prophylactic, therapeutic, and preventive procedures for periodontal disease, inflammation, or patients with other medical or dental problems; placing temporary fillings; and finishing amalgam restorations.

Responsibilities

• Plan and direct the preventive dental health program.
• Instruct patients in oral health care and administer oral prophylaxis.
• Develop teaching aids and preventive methods for the inmate population.
• Teach patients individually and in groups about proper oral hygiene using educational materials and dental hygiene supplies.
• Demonstrate proper brushing and flossing techniques using toothbrushes, floss threaders, Perio-Aids, Proxabrushes, and similar tools.
• Help maintain the security of the institution as part of the correctional staff; these responsibilities take precedence over other duties.

Benefits

• The announcement states that federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package. Specific benefits are not listed, and eligibility depends on position type.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed