Dental Hygienist

Caring Health Center - Springfield, MA

Springfield, MA

Ambulatory Health Care Services

About the position

Under general supervision of a qualified Dentist, assesses patient needs and plans and delivers direct dental care and associated services to patients. Utilizes established dental hygiene protocol and procedures.

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 prophylaxis, scaling and root planning, polishing, x-rays, 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 development 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.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.
• Making sure prior approvals are being sent to Mass Health as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree; minimum of one (1) year of directly related experience.
• Current licensure as a Dental Hygienist in the State of Massachusetts.
• Experienced with or having a strong interest in addressing the health care needs of low income, special needs or disadvantaged populations.