Oral Health Care Professionals

Registered Dental Hygienist Job Description

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsible for:

Daily duties related to the job of a dental hygienist, including removing plaque from and polishing patient teeth during a routine checkup, screening patients, reviewing patient oral health history and teaching appropriate brushing and flossing techniques. Works under the supervision of a dentist to help aid the dentist with patient’s oral health and care. Charts patient medical and dental history. Protects patient and peers by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols. Maintain dental instruments and equipment in proper working order. Monitor inventory and order dental office supplies as needed. Effectively communicate verbally with patients. Promote the office and support the practice.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

Patient Management

  • Preparing treatment rooms from patients by adhering to prescribed procedures and protocols
  • Preparing patient for dental hygiene treatment by welcoming, soothing, seating, and draping patient
  • Providing information to patients and employees by answering questions and requests
  • Maintaining instrumentation for dental hygiene treatment by sharpening, sterilizing, and selecting instruments
  • Selecting materials and equipment for dental hygiene visit by evaluating the oral health of each patient
  • Exposes and processes dental radiographs/images using a digital x-ray sensor and related equipment; reads dental radiographs and alerts dentists to observations
  • Perform oral prophylaxis on patients, scaling and root planning and polishing the teeth to remove deposits, stains, plaque, and calculus from tooth surfaces and beneath gingival margins using hand scalers, ultrasonic cleaning instruments and motor- or aid-driven dental polishers
  • Examines the mouth to determine if there are dental problems such as conditions of periodontal disease or tooth decay, charts findings and reports same to dentist
  • Detecting disease by completing oral cancer screening’ feeling and visually examining gingiva; using probes to locate periodontal disease and to assess levels of recession; completing radiographic studies
  • Arresting dental decay by applying fluorides and other cavity-preventing agents
  • Apply sealants, topical anesthetics and desensitizing agents to teeth and/or gums
  • Instruct patients in proper methods of tooth brushing and flossing techniques, care and cleaning of removable appliances, maintenance of oral health, proper usage of non-prescription medication, and /or nutrition counseling to maintain oral health.
  • Maintaining patient appearance and ability to masticate by cleaning and polishing removable appliances
  • Assisting dentist manage dental and medical emergencies by maintaining CPR certification, emergency drugs and oxygen supply, and directory of emergency numbers
  • Complete oral cancer examination of head and neck
  • Educate patients by giving oral hygiene and plaque control instructions and postoperative instructions; providing reminders of time of next dental hygiene visit
  • Documenting dental hygiene services by recording vital signs and medical and dental histories; charting in and maintain patient records
  • Use the intraoral camera at appropriate times prior to the dentist’s exam to help aid and inform patient of treatment and/or conditions
  • Maintaining patient confidence and protects operations by keeping information confidential
  • Evaluate patient response to care through observation
  • Protecting patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols
  • Conserving dental resources by using equipment and supplies as needed to accomplish job results

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Equipment Management

  • Maintain dental instruments and equipment in proper working order
  • Following procedures to maintain security of medications, instruments and needles.
  • Ensuring operation of dental equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; following manufacturer's instructions; troubleshooting malfunctions; calling for repairs; maintaining equipment inventories; evaluating new equipment and techniques

Inventory Management

  • Monitor inventory and order dental office supplies as needed
  • Ensure that treatment rooms are stocked at all times
  • Monitor and make sure all office equipment (computer systems, etc.) is functioning and properly maintained; follow up on staff complaints and submit appropriate repair requests

Office Participation

  • Maintaining appearance and order of dental office and patient management
  • Help in other areas of the office when necessary (i.e., unpacking supplies, keep sterilization lab instruments moving along sterilization process, aid with patient narratives, etc.)
  • Be an active participant in team meetings
  • Promote team concept by interacting with others in the office
  • Perform other tasks as assigned by the dentist or manager
  • Maintaining dental supplies inventory by checking stock to determine inventory level; anticipating needed supplies; placing and expediting orders for supplies; verifying receipt of supplies
  • Help with laundry of scrubs from previous work day
  • Open and close dental office according to office protocol
  • Contributing to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed
  • Keeps all matters related to the organization confidential.

Treatment Room Management and Sterilization

  • Keep dental units ready, stocked and clean
  • Maintaining safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations.
  • Oversee cleanliness of the treatment room according to sterilization procedures
  • Disinfect treatment rooms according to OSHA regulations
  • Disinfect treatment rooms according to OSHA regulations
  • Sterilize all instruments and handpieces according to OSHA regulations
  • Keep trays, instruments and treatment room drawers organized
  • Ensure that office sterilization procedures document is on display
  • Promptly send out and monitor all dental laboratory cases
  • Implement the preventative maintenance/cleaning schedule for dental equipment
  • Maintain dental office emergency kits and nitrous and oxygen tanks
  • Follow laboratory procedures according to office protocol

Customer Service

  • Professionally handle patient complaints
  • Effectively communicate verbally with patients

Records Management

  • Secure store and handle patient records in compliance with state and federal requirements, including the HIPAA privacy and security regulations
  • Accurately file patient information
  • Review specialist recommendations with dentist prior to patient visit each morning
  • Document dental hygiene services by recording vital signs and medical and dental histories; charting in patient records
  • Chart conditions of decay and disease for diagnosis and treatment by dentist

PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS

Education/Experience

  • Active dental hygiene license in good standing and able to practice in the state of Illinois
  • Associates, Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in dental hygiene from an accredited dental hygiene program
  • Coursework in dental instruments and procedures
  • Compliance with state dental practice requirements (e.g., x-ray requirements, OSHA training)
  • Commitment to CE for career development
  • Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
  • Computer skills:
  • Eaglesoft Practice Management
  • Dexis System

Interpersonal

  • Maintaining professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies
  • Good interpersonal skills to maintain effective rapport with patients, dentists, other staff members and external vendors, such as dental benefits plans
  • Passion for continuing education and professional development
  • Well-organized and detail oriented
  • Excellent communications skills
  • Ability to develop professional relationships with external vendors if requested
  • Team player