Dental Hygienist

The Family Practice & Counseling Services Network•Philadelphia, PA

About The Position

The Dental Hygienist is responsible for assessing and delivering direct patient care. Utilizing effective oral hygiene procedures and protocols to treat, educate, and reinforce good health outcomes for the patient. Team members are expected to uphold the health center mission by assuring that patients receive health care that is competent, caring, and meets with a high degree of satisfaction. In addition, staff must support FPCSN's commitment to the creation of a trauma-informed system of care that continually recognizes and responds to the impact of traumatic stress on all those who have contact with the organization, including children, adults, families, caregivers, and staff.

Requirements

Diploma from an accredited U.S. program with a Dental Hygienist degree
Pennsylvania State Licensure as a Public Health Dental Hygiene Practitioner.
Pennsylvania State Local Anesthesia Licensure
Competent with Electronic Dental Records
Proficient with digital x-ray capture.
Proficient with CCD digital x-ray capture.
Ability to independently assess the nature and extent of dental, both periodontal and caries risk assessments, and associated conditions and pathology in dental patients.

Responsibilities

Assesses dental conditions and risk with patient screening procedures which includes medical history review and dental charting in the EHR.
Performs routine treatment procedures, such as cleaning, polishing, x-rays, application of sealants, fluorides and varnishes, and related procedures.
Develops and implements individualized dental care plans for patients; performs patient education and risk protocols, discharge planning, and patient/family teaching under the supervision of a dentist.
Performs patient triage and initiates patient care as appropriate for walk-in patients.
Provides chair-side assistance to dentist in the performance of special tests, procedures, and complex treatments.
Documents dental history reports on pertinent observations, and other relevant patient information in the EHR.
Documents lab procedures and ensures follow up on results.
Assists in the maintenance of all Dental Department areas in compliance with Dental Department directives and policies as well as center policies and procedures relative to infection control, exposure control and safety issues.
Assist with managing hygiene inventory and supplies.
Ensure use of downtime to include cleaning/disinfecting and sterilizing office instruments, clean and stocking operatory.
Performs routine cleaning and maintenance of dental equipment in assigned operatories and for the assigned equipment. Regularly and thoroughly performs maintenance of assigned equipment.
Assist with insurance preauthorization process for periodontal scaling and root planning to assure follow-up on all denials and scheduling for all approved cases.
Manage the continuing care recall system.