Dental Hygienist, RDH

First Choice Community Healthcare INC•Edgewood, NM

just now•Onsite

About The Position

Under the general direction of the Dental Director, the supervision of the Clinical Dental Supervisor, the indirect supervision of each patient’s treating dentist, and the administrative direction of the Health Center Manager, the Dental Hygienist assesses patient needs, and plans and delivers direct dental care and associated services to patients. Utilizes established dental hygiene protocol and procedures.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or Associate’s Degree in Dental Hygiene
Current licensure as a Dental Hygienist in the State of New Mexico
NM Board Certified (Registered)
Anesthesia License – Board Certified
CPR certification required within 6 months of hire
Knowledge of Federal, State, and institutional regulations and guidelines for the provision of dental outpatient services
Knowledge of patient screening, charting, and medical history procedures and documentation
Ability to independently assess the nature and extent of dental, periodontic, and associated conditions and pathology in dental outpatients
Ability to perform a full range of established dental hygienist protocol and procedures
Ability to analyze medical records and prescribed protocol to formulate effective therapeutic treatment plans
Ability to communicate technical information to non-technical personnel
Ability to set up and prepare dental equipment and instrumentation in accordance with established regulations and guidelines
Knowledge and understanding of dental surgery and associated procedures, terminology, and techniques
Ability to independently perform emergency dental procedures
Knowledge of patient admission, triage, transfer, and discharge procedures and documentation
Knowledge and familiarity with compliance program. Cooperate fully and comply with laws and regulations

Nice To Haves

Two years of experience in a clinic or community health setting is preferred
Bi-lingual English/Spanish is preferred

Responsibilities

Assesses dental condition and needs of patient; uses patient screening procedures, to include medical history review, dental charting, and perio charting; takes patient vital signs as required;
Delivers direct patient care to patients as assigned, using established dental hygienist procedures; performs routine treatment procedures, such as cleaning, polishing, expose/develop x-rays, patient education, application of sealants and fluorides, and related procedures;
Develops and implements individualized dental care plans for patients; performs patient education, discharge planning, and patient/family teaching under the supervision of a qualified dentist;
Provides chair-side assistance to dentist in the performance of special tests, procedures, and complex treatments;
Makes impressions of patients' teeth for study casts;
Documents dental history or chief complaint; records and reports pertinent observations and patient reactions to dental staff, as appropriate; documents lab procedures and ensures follow up on results;
Assists with or institutes emergency measures for sudden adverse developments during treatment of patients;
Performs patient triage and initiates patient care as appropriate for walk-in patients;
Assists in preparation of patient care areas, and in the patient admission, transfer, and discharge process, as required; prepares reports and assists as required with patient reception, telephone calls, routine triage, and other office duties;
Scrubs instruments and prepares them for autoclaving;
Sanitizes and disinfects operatory, sharpens instruments, and restocks with necessary materials, instruments, and supplies;
Writes prescriptions for endorsement by the dentist and calls them into pharmacy.
Triages emergency patients for the dentist;
Participate in site and organizational quality assurance and improvement;
Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned;