Position Summary: 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.
Essential duties and Responsibilities:
• Assess dental condition and needs of the patient; use screening procedures, to include medical history review, dental charting, and periodontal charting; takes patients vital signs as required.
• Delivers direct patient care to patients as assigned using established dental hygienist procedures and performs routine treatment procedures.
• Document dental history.
• Assists with or institutes emergency measures for sudden adverse developments during treatment of patients.
• Performs patient triage and initiates patient care as appropriate for walk in patients.
• Assists in preparation of patient care areas
• Assists in the patient admission, transfer and discharge process, as required. The duties and responsibilities defined above are not an all-inclusive list, but a general summary of typical duties. Individuals in this position may be asked to perform a wide range of related tasks, within the scope of their licensure or certification, to ensure that the highest level of medical and client care are always provided.
Qualifications:
• Current licensure as a dental hygienist.
• Diploma in Dental Hygiene
Skills and Knowledge:
• Knowledge of federal, state and institutional regulations and guidelines for the provision of dental outpatient services.
• Ability to independently assess the nature and extent of dental, periodontal, and associated conditions and pathology in dental outpatients.
• Knowledge in patient screening, charting, and medical history procedures and documentation.
• Ability to communicate technical information to non-technical personnel.
• Ability to perform a full range of established dental hygienist protocol and procedures.
• Ability to analyze medical records and prescribed protocol to formulate effective therapeutic treatment plans.
• Knowledge and understating of dental surgery and associated procedures, terminology and techniques.
• Ability to set up and prepare dental equipment and instrumentation in accordance with established regulations and guidelines.
• Ability to independently perform emergency dental procedures.
