Registered Dental Hygienist

Municipality of Chatham-Kent • Chatham, ON

16d • Onsite

About The Position

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent has an opening for a permanent full-time Registered Dental Hygienist in the Public Health Unit. The Registered Dental Hygienist provides screening, preventive clinical services, counselling and education about oral health issues to community members in accordance with the Ontario Public Health Standards. These services are provided in schools, the Oral Health clinic at the Health Unit, and in outreach community clinics and other community settings.

Requirements

• Diploma in Dental Hygiene from a recognized community college or university is required
• Minimum two years' clinical experience as a dental hygienist in a dental practice is required
• Experience working with children
• Knowledge of the Ontario Public Health Standards
• Experience with oral health education initiatives
• Able to learn data management systems (i.e. OHISS)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong computer skills, specifically Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) (or similar software program) and Internet research
• Member in good standing with the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario
• Current registration to practice in Ontario as a Registered Dental Hygienist
• Maintains professional competency under the Dental Hygiene Act and the College of Dental Hygienist of Ontario
• Mask fit testing (N95)
• 2 step TB skin test to be completed within two weeks of starting position
• Ability to lift 25 kilograms
• Constant sitting in a chair (use operator's chair; driving to and from clinic locations)
• Frequent reaching forward (reaching for hand piece, air/water syringe and scalers during treatment of each client; reaching to pack equipment)
• Constant fine finger dexterity (movement), gripping, pinching (finger dexterity - scaling, mirror, hand piece, air/water syringe)
• Frequent one foot action (clinic equipment is operated by foot pedal)
• Valid Province of Ontario driver's license with a reliable motor vehicle is necessary

Nice To Haves

• Dental Hygiene Self-Initiation standing is preferred
• Previous experience as a Registered Dental Hygienist in a Public Health Unit is preferred
• Knowledge of continuous quality improvement principles (CQI) and/or experience participating in CQI projects is an asset
• The ability to communicate both written and oral French language is an asset

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate Chatham-Kent’s core values and competencies
• Perform preventive oral health clinic duties in compliance with standards of the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario
• Conduct screening of school children in the school setting, as indicated in the Ontario Public Health Standards
• Determine eligibility for participation in Healthy Smiles Ontario program, and refer eligible clients for treatment
• Assist in setting up and tearing down of equipment for community preventive clinics and school screening
• Provide education to individuals and groups both within the Health Unit and community settings
• Collaborate with local dentists and Kent County Dental Society about community-wide oral health education initiatives
• Answer questions from local oral health providers about both clinical issues, and also Ministry program fee reimbursement
• Establish and maintain respectful and collaborative professional and ethically sound relationships with all clients, colleagues, and partner organizations
• Advocate for public health and other applicable policies and services that promote and protect the oral health, as well as general health and well-being, of individuals and communities
• Keep up to date with current evidence-based research, literature, and other developments in the science of oral health, and applies learning to one's practice of dental hygiene
• Participate in the development of operational plans, objectives and work plans, and document activities

Benefits

• Participation in the OMERS pension plan (mandatory)
• Group benefits plan following the successful completion of a 90-calendar day waiting period as per the CUPE 12.3 collective agreement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree