Dental Hygienist

I. POSITION FUNCTION SUMMARY

Under the general direction of the Dental Director, the Dental Hygienist’s duties are in support of the mission, goals and objectives of the HICHC. He/she will provide oral care to patients and provide them with information to assist with developing and maintaining good oral health.

II. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This position may have various work assignments within HICHC. This description is intended to be generic in nature, and as such it does not detail all duties and responsibilities of the particular job assignment. Various duties, responsibilities and accountabilities may be assigned to an incumbent in this position depending on the specific job assignment, and may include but not be limited to the following:

• Works in conjunction with the dentist to develop a periodontal diagnosis and execute an appropriate periodontal treatment plan.
• Conducts dental prophylaxis, scaling and root planning procedures as prescribed by the dentist.
• Administers anesthetics to limit the amount of pain experienced by patients during procedures.
• Greets and prepares patients for treatment.
• Provides preliminary charting of all head and neck pathology.
• Conducts oral health education.
• Provides chairside instruction in plaque control and/or diet counseling.
• Brings to the attention of all patients or guardian the benefits of fluorides in all forms.
• Informs parents, guardians and patients of importance and need of periodic dental care.
• Accurately records all treatment rendered.
• Works chair-side with dentist during treatment whenever necessary.
• Exposes and process radiographs as prescribed by the dentist.
• Promotes and supports the Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) primary care model.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

III. POSITION SPECIFICATIONS

Requirements of Position

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience

• Degree from an accredited dental hygiene school required.
• Hawaiʻi State licensure to practice as a Dental Hygienist required.
• Experience working with community programs preferred.
• Must have a desire to work with children and adolescents.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Working knowledge of the diagnosis and treatment of dental and oral diseases.
• Working knowledge of the principles, standard practices methods and techniques of dentistry.
• Working knowledge of preventive dentistry and educational methodologies utilized in prevention.
• Skill in oral operative techniques and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients and staff.

Language Skills

• Ability to communicate with culturally diverse groups of people including staff, providers and patients
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients and their families to make their visit a pleasant experience
• Sensitivity to the multicultural nature of the service area population and may be required to communicate in another language

Personal characteristics to include: a team player, high integrity, solution-oriented, communication and customer relations skills, regular work attendance, courteous and friendly, able to work well with diverse groups of people, and gain and maintain respect of others.

Confidential and Sensitive Information

Because the employee has access to personal and professional data regarding individual employees and their families, personal data regarding individual patients and the families, and/or sensitive company financial data, an essential job result is the maintenance of a high level of confidentiality of the information processed by the employee. Violation of this confidence may result in disciplinary action, including termination of employment.

General Remarks: The work environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential tasks and functions.

Working Conditions: Dental Clinic environment with possible exposure to airborne and bloodborne pathogens

Environment: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. There are no known environmental hazards on the premises. Work environment is often stressful. Work is mostly inside, and normal office worker safety precautions and practices are required. Incumbent may be exposed to patients' conditions and some-unpleasant sights, smells and contagious diseases including virus, disease and infection from patients and specimens in working environment. All employees are offered the opportunity to receive the Hepatitis B vaccination series.

Equipment Use: Frequent use of telephone system and office equipment including but not limited to computer, printer, facsimile machine, copier, and general office supplies. Occasional use of wheelchair, gurney and other assisted devices for patient transfers in the clinic.

Work Hours: 40 hours per week. Overtime may be required.

Mental Demands: Duties require attention to detail, alertness, problem solving, tolerance to stress and exercising sound judgment. Duties require high tolerance and adequate coping skills for dealing with loss, grief and bereavement. Good stress reduction and management skills are essential.

V. REMARKS

The foregoing position description is not all-inclusive of the duties that may be assigned to the employee. In order to ensure maximum flexibility and efficiency and to encourage cross training, employees will be assigned additional duties as deemed necessary or desirable by HICHC.