Dental Hygienist

Ocean Health Initiatives•Lakewood, NJ

About The Position

Performs professional dental care in the field of dental hygiene, including related clinical procedures, and has broad responsibilities for clinical and community dental health education. Works under the general supervision of the dentist. Provides clinical services and health education to improve and maintain the oral health of school children, and is primarily responsible for initiating and maintaining the dental department’s prevention and dental education component. The candidate must be able to commit to four ten-hour shifts per week.

Requirements

Graduate from an accredited school of dental hygiene.
Active State of New Jersey Hygienist license.
New Jersey radiological license for dental purposes.
BLS for providers through the American Heart Association.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365.
Ability to commit to four ten-hour shifts per week.

Responsibilities

Clean calcareous deposits, accretions, and stains from teeth and beneath gum margins using appropriate dental instruments.
Examine gums by touch and sight for sores and signs of disease, and use probes to identify periodontal recession and signs of gum disease.
Chart conditions of decay and disease in the EMR system for diagnosis and treatment by the dentist.
Feel lymph nodes under patients’ chins for swelling or tenderness that could indicate oral cancer.
Apply fluorides and other cavity-preventing agents to arrest dental decay.
Expose and electronically process digital images, and evaluate them for diagnostic quality in accordance with state regulations, laws, and Dental Department directives and protocols.
Provide clinical services and health education to improve and maintain the oral health of school children.
Follow up with insurance companies for necessary authorization.
Perform supragingival and subgingival scaling and curettage.
Conduct dental health clinics for community groups to augment the dentist’s services.
Teach proper home oral hygiene techniques, including tooth brushing, flossing, nutrition, and the need for professional care.
Screen and evaluate patients for cavities, periodontal pathology, and medical history.
Initiate and maintain the dental department’s dental prevention and education component.
Assist in training dental assistants and externs.
Work collaboratively with senior management and management teams to resolve departmental and organizational challenges expeditiously, economically, professionally, and with minimum disruption to the practice.