Dental Hygienist - Kimball Clinic/National City

Position Summary

The Registered Dental Hygienist is to perform the independent duties permitted by State guidelines and the Dental Practice Act for Hygienists. 

Essential Functions of the Job:

• Prepares treatment room for patient by adhering to prescribed procedures and
• protocols.
• Selects materials and equipment for dental hygiene visit by evaluating patient's oral health.
• Patient screening procedures, such as assessment of oral health conditions, review of the health history, oral cancer screening, head and neck inspection, dental charting and taking blood pressure and pulse.  Feeling and visually examining gums; using probes to locate periodontal disease and to assess levels of recession.
• Prepares patient for dental hygiene treatment by welcoming, soothing, seating, and draping patient.
• Taking digital radiographs (x-rays).
• Applying preventive materials to the teeth (e.g., sealants and fluorides).
• Educating patients on appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health.
  • (e.g., tooth brushing, flossing and nutritional counseling) Provides information to patients and employees by answering questions and requests.
• Maintains instrumentation for dental hygiene treatment by sharpening, sterilizing, and selecting instruments.
• Completes dental prophylaxis by cleaning deposits and stains from teeth and from beneath gum margins. Removing calculus and plaque (hard and soft deposits) from all surfaces of the teeth.
• Arrests dental decay by applying fluorides and other cavity- preventing agents.
• Helps dentist manage dental and medical emergencies by maintaining CPR certification, emergency drugs and oxygen supply, and directory of emergency numbers.
• Maintains patient confidence and protects operations by keeping information confidential (PHI).
• Maintains safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensures 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.
• Maintains dental supplies inventory by checking stock to determine inventory level; anticipating needed supplies; placing and expediting orders for supplies; verifying receipt of supplies.
• Conserves dental resources by using equipment and supplies as needed to accomplish job results.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.
• Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed. Maintains and submits orders to maintain an adequate inventory of forms, clerical supplies, Xerox paper and equipment.

Job Requirements

Experience Required:

• 2 years as a dental hygienist.

Education Required:

• Certificate of Completion of the Dental Practice Act for Hygienists Exam.

Certifications and Licenses Required:

• Active state hygiene license.
• CPR/BLS certification.

Verbal and Written Skills Required to Perform the Job:

• Excellent communication

skills. 

• Bi-lingual helpful (English/Spanish).
• Ability to put patients at ease and give clear understandable directions of treatment recommended by dentist.

Technical Knowledge and Skills Required to Perform the Job:

• Knowledge of Dentrix Technology software, Dental Health Maintenance, Infection Control, Health Promotion and Maintenance, Chairside Manner, Creating a Safe and Effective Environment, Listening, Teamwork, Administering Medication, Thoroughness, Self-Development.
• Computer skills involving word processing, email, and dental management programs such as EPIC are preferable.
• NPI # (required for credentialing process.)

Equipment Used:

• Dental operatory, laboratory and sterilization equipment.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

You will be required to engage in prolonged, extensive, frequent, and

Repetitive standing, sitting, walking, stooping, twisting, kneeling, reaching,

crouching, bending, and position changes to examine and service patients,

which may involve getting into awkward positions to access patients'

teeth. You must be able to lift up to 30 pounds occasionally. Moderate

noise levels from dental drills and other lab equipment should

be expected. Protective gear, including masks, safety glasses, and rubber

gloves, is mandatory. Working in close quarters and near other people with

little space between yourself and others is a necessity. Exposure to

radiation, mercury, and anesthetic gases is a possibility. You may

encounter contaminants, diseases, and infections while working with

patients. Manual dexterity and mobility are crucial, including the ability to

keep your hand and arm steady while moving, quickly move your hand,

grasp and manipulate objects, and demonstrate exceptional hand-eye

coordination, control, and finger dexterity to use dental implements for

exams, mixing, placing materials on dental tools, products, and in mouths,

and assemble very small objects. Occasional travel. May be required to

work evenings and or Saturdays, and attend meetings outside clinic

working hours. Will on occasion work at schools or WIC sites. Will work

with blood and blood-borne pathogens and will require OSHA training on a

yearly basis.

Universal Requirements:

Pre-employment requirements include I-9, physical, positive background and reference check results, complete application, new hire orientation, pre-employment PPDs. Compliance with all mandated vaccinations and all boosters is a term and condition of employment.