Registered Dental Hygienist

Aria Community Health Center•Porterville, CA

13d•$84,006 - $87,360•Onsite

About The Position

ACHC is more than a healthcare provider—we are a trusted partner in community health. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, we offer affordable, patient-centered care that includes medical, dental, and specialty services such as Chiropractic, Internal Medicine, Neurology, Pediatrics, Psychology, Podiatry, and Optometry. Our clinics serve diverse populations across Fresno, Kings, and Tulare counties, ensuring that everyone has access to the care they need. The Registered Dental Hygienist is responsible for promoting dental health by completing dental prophylaxis; providing oral cancer screening and radiographic studies; charting conditions of decay and disease; performing procedures in compliance with the dental practice act.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited school of dental hygiene.
Ability to maintain appropriate clinical privileges required
Current CPR (BLS) certification
License to practice Oral Hygiene in the State of CA
Requires a comprehensive knowledge of oral hygiene care in outpatient settings.
Knowledge of the principles and practice of modern oral hygiene and periodontal patient care is necessary.
The Registered Dental Hygienist must be cognizant of the public health, social and economic factors which impact on the overall health, and more specifically the oral health of their patients.
The Registered Dental Hygienist must be able to creatively work with other health care professionals from a variety of disciplines to achieve maximal program effectiveness and patient benefit.
The ability to creatively solve problems through individual and/or programmatic action is an important part of this position.
Compassion. Sometimes patients are in extreme pain or have fears about undergoing dental work, and the hygienist must be sensitive to their emotions.
Detail oriented. Dental hygienists must follow specific rules and protocols to help dentists diagnose and treat a patient. In rare cases, dental hygienists work without the direct supervision of a dentist.
Interpersonal skills. Dental hygienists must work closely with dentists and patients.
Hearing: Sufficient to engage with patients and staff in person and by telephone.
Speaking: Clear verbal communication to convey medical and operational information.
Vision: Visual acuity adequate for reading printed materials and viewing electronic screens.
Cognitive Abilities: Aptitude to complete tasks, including abilities such as learning, remembering, focusing, categorizing, and integrating information for decision-making, problem-solving, and comprehending.
Motor Function & Mobility: Ability to move within the work environment to complete tasks and interact with others.
Occasional lifting and carrying of items up to 10 pounds without assistance.
Frequent standing, sitting, bending, reaching, and other movements typical of a standard workday.
Regular use of hands and fingers for typing, writing, operating tools or equipment, and handling materials.
Some pushing and pulling required during daily tasks.

Nice To Haves

Ability to be clinically fluent in Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

Assists in the oral health management of all clinic patients.
Obtains baseline oral hygiene assessment data based upon accepted principles of oral hygiene and periodontal care.
Records patient-hygienist transactions as they occur in the patient’s dental record so that the dental record accurately and completely reflects the nature of the contact, the condition of the patient and the care or treatment provided.
Provides oral health education and appropriate individual counseling for all center dental patients.
Provides clinical oral hygiene services including dental prophylaxis, scaling, sealant application and fluoride application consistent with accepted professional practices and standards and in compliance with applicable state law and the center’s clinical protocols.
Integration of appropriate patient dental hygiene care with other heal care professionals involved in the patient’s health care management.
Organizes and performs preventive oral health presentations at on-site and off-site locations.
Assists in the provision of technical assistance and health education in the community as requested.
Performs independent procedures as delegated and directed by a dentist in accordance with state regulations and law as well as Dental Department protocol and directive.
Assists in the maintenance of all Dental Department areas in compliance with Dental Department directive and policies as well as center policies and procedures relative to infection control, exposure control and safety issues.
Receives and places necessary telephone calls consistent with professional matters, clinic business and patient care of the Dental Department.
Insures the proper disposal of all contaminated or potentially contaminated materials in accordance with Dental Department directive and center policy as well as state federal regulations(s).
Complies in full with the center’s Exposure Control Plan.
Responsible for personal compliance with all applicable federal, state, local and center rules, regulations, protocols and procedures governing the practice of dental hygiene and the clinical provision of dental hygiene services as well as those relating to, but not limited to, personnel issues, work place safety, public health and confidentiality.
Other duties as assigned