Dental Hygienist

Neighborhood Health Clinics Inc•Fort Wayne, IN

18d

About The Position

At Neighborhood Health, the Dental Hygienist provides professional dental hygiene care for clinic patients in accordance with established standards, practices, and protocols. The role supports the organization’s mission to improve community access to comprehensive, quality health care delivered with compassion and respect. The hygienist maintains patient confidentiality and complies with HIPAA policies and procedures. There are no supervisory responsibilities. The position screens and assesses patients, provides preventive oral health services and patient education, and monitors continuity of care between clinic visits as required. The hygienist works closely with the Chief Dental Officer on provider productivity goals, assists with instrument sterilization and sharpening as assigned, participates in complaint resolution and required meetings, and pursues professional development. The role also involves staying current with changes in dental hygiene practice and performing related duties as assigned. The work takes place in a normal dental office and may include irregular hours, including evenings and weekends. It involves frequent contact with staff, doctors’ offices, patients, and the public, including people who may be sick, angry, or upset. The position has frequent exposure to communicable diseases, bodily fluids, toxic substances, medicinal preparations, and other conditions common to a clinic environment; it is classified as OSHA Category I, involving contact with blood or bodily substances.

Requirements

Degree from an accredited dental hygiene program.
Indiana State Dental Hygiene License.
CPR certification.
Working knowledge of dental practices and proficiency in the dental hygiene process.
Ability to follow current Neighborhood Health policies and procedures, maintain patient confidentiality, and comply with standards and safety procedures.
Proficiency using computers and dental equipment and instruments to administer care and accurately retrieve and record patient data.
Strong problem-solving, interpersonal, oral and written communication, planning, organization, quality-control, adaptability, and dependability skills.
Ability to work under stressful conditions and communicate effectively with people of varying cultures, socioeconomic backgrounds, languages, and educational levels.
Ability to stand and walk for prolonged periods and to stoop, bend, stretch, and handle and assist patients using full body motion, manual dexterity, and eye-hand coordination.
Ability to lift and carry items weighing up to 35 pounds.
Corrected vision and hearing within the normal range to record, prepare, and communicate reports.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a clinic setting is preferred.

Responsibilities

Evaluate patients’ medical and dental histories, conduct visual oral cancer screenings, take blood pressure and pulse, and maintain and review patient records and charts.
Remove calculus, plaque, and stains from teeth; assess periodontal needs; chart decay and disease for dentist diagnosis and treatment; apply fluoride and other cavity-preventing agents; and take dental radiographs.
Teach patients oral hygiene strategies and counsel them about nutrition and its impact on oral health.
Recommend community resources to meet patient and family needs.
Monitor patients and support continuity of care between clinic visits as required.
Work closely with the Chief Dental Officer to help reach individual provider productivity goals.
Assist with sterilizing and sharpening instruments as assigned, following infection control guidelines.
Stay current with changes in advanced practice and apply relevant findings in clinical practice.
Participate in patient complaint procedures to resolve operational problems.
Attend required meetings and in-services, participate in professional development, and serve on committees as requested.
Perform duties in accordance with Neighborhood Health’s standards of conduct and mission, and perform related duties as assigned.