Dental Hygienist

HopeHealth Inc• Florence, SC, US, SC

21d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the supervision of a Dentist in a clinical setting, the Dental Hygienist provides professional, high-quality dental care and education to a broad range of patients using established dental hygiene protocols and procedures. The role evaluates patients and implements treatment regimens under the Dentist’s supervision, provides complete documentation, and supports oral health education and prevention. The Dental Hygienist contributes to the efficient operation of the Dental Program, including school-based clinical programs, staff meetings, and Quality Improvement activities. The position involves direct patient care, including prophylaxis, scaling and root planing, periodontal maintenance, polishing, digital x-rays, intraoral camera use, and application of sealants, fluorides, and varnishes. The clinician is also responsible for maintaining assigned operatories, equipment, and instruments, including routine cleaning, maintenance, and sharpening. The schedule is Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., with lunch from 1:00–2:00 p.m., and Friday, 7:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

Requirements

Registered dental hygienist (RDH) graduate of an accredited program.
Current license to practice in South Carolina.
Current CPR certification.
Pursue continuing education units (CEUs) as required to maintain licensure and stay current with advances in dentistry, especially within the scope of dental hygiene practice.
Value personal and departmental performance excellence.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
Knowledge of federal, state, and institutional regulations and guidelines for dental outpatient services.
Ability to analyze medical records and co-diagnose to formulate effective therapeutic treatment plans.
Ability to independently assess the nature and extent of dental disease and associated conditions and pathology.
Ability to perform established dental hygienist protocols and procedures.
Knowledge of patient screening, charting, medical history procedures, and documentation.
Knowledge and understanding of dental surgery and associated procedures, terminology, and techniques.
Ability to set up and prepare dental equipment and instruments in accordance with regulations and guidelines.
Ability to independently perform emergency dental procedures.
Ability to communicate technical information to non-technical coworkers.
Knowledge of patient admission, triage, transfer, and discharge procedures and documentation.
Ability to manage the dental office infection control plan in accordance with OSHA, CDC, and ADA standards.
Ability to lift 30 pounds and assist patients.
Ability to stand and/or walk for most of the workday.
Ability to meet vision and hearing requirements, corrected to within normal limits.
Manual dexterity to enter data and use a computer, and to grasp, grip, hold, tear, cut, sort, and reach.
Work involves exposure to blood or blood-borne pathogens and requires OSHA training; follow extensive safety precautions and use protective equipment as needed.

Nice To Haves

Anesthesia certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide high-quality dental hygiene care within the scope of service and consistent with accepted standards of care.
Evaluate patients and implement treatment regimens under the supervision of the Dentist.
Document findings, treatments, outcomes, dental history, pertinent observations, patient reactions, and lab procedures; ensure follow-up on results.
Review and interpret patient dental records and initiate oral health education and prevention activities.
Work collaboratively and assist as needed to support the smooth and efficient operation of the Dental Program.
Assess dental conditions and risk; conduct patient screening, review medical histories, perform dental and periodontal charting, and take vital signs as required.
Deliver direct patient care using established dental hygiene procedures, including prophylaxis, scaling and root planing, periodontal maintenance, polishing, digital x-rays, intraoral camera use, and application of sealants, fluorides, and varnishes.
Develop and implement individualized dental care plans; provide patient education, risk protocols, discharge planning, and patient/family teaching under Dentist supervision.
Assist with or institute emergency measures in response to sudden adverse developments during patient treatment.
Maintain assigned dental operatories and equipment through routine cleaning and maintenance.
Maintain assigned dental instruments, including regular sharpening.
Work in school-based clinical programs.
Attend and participate in staff meetings to review progress toward financial and productivity goals, and participate in Quality Improvement activities as requested by the Dentist/Clinical Dental.
Perform other duties as assigned.