Dental Hygienist

General Statement of Duties

The Dental Hygienist provides dental hygiene and treatment of periodontal disease for patients of all ages under direct and in-direct supervision of staff dentists. The Dental Hygienist is expected to deliver professional, high-quality dental care and education to a broad range of patients within the scope of service consistent with accepted standards of care. This position offers support where needed to ensure smooth, efficient running of the La Pine Community Health Center Dental Program. The Dental Hygienist also participates in the ongoing evaluation of Dental Program operations to assure the delivery of high-quality services that support the financial sustainability of the program.

Responsibilities

• Embrace the philosophy, mission, and values of La Pine Community Health Center (LCHC).
• Adhere to the guidelines and procedures of LCHC.
• Responsible for assessing and obtaining clinical evidence of patient's level of periodontal health.
• Place and take digital x-rays. Ensure that all X-rays are suitable for diagnosis.
• Develop appropriate treatment plan and sequence for treatment of existing periodontal disease.
• Treatment of chronic periodontal conditions, including periodontal disease, gingivitis, ANUG, and acute periodontal abscess in conjunction with dentist.
• Treatments include mechanical and ultrasonic instrumentation (scaling and root-planning removal of calculus), supra-gingival removal of plaque, coronal polishing, and preventative services.
• Assess fluoride history on all children twelve years and under at first appointment and at each recall appointment. Apply fluorides and other preventative medicaments as necessary.
• Assist in identification of special patient needs, such as adjunctive antibiotics, rinses, or hygiene aids in conjunction with dentist.
• Educate patients in all aspects of oral hygiene, and consequences and treatment options for periodontal disease.
• Maintain a clean, neat, organized working environment. Sanitize where necessary to facilitate infection control. Stock with appropriate treatment instruments and materials in conjunction with dental assistants.
• Record treatment in patient chart same day as treatment, chart periodontal probing, and educate patient.
• Deliver appropriate local anesthesia for patient comfort under supervision of dentist if within scope of licensing.
• Maintain maintenance of recall list.
• As able and as needed, provide backup assistance to the dental staff.
• Perform expanded function duties, (amalgam packing and carving, temporary fillings, alginate impressions, temporary crown cementation) as necessary under supervision of dentist and within scope of practice.
• Follow all safety and biohazard procedures including handling and disposing of biohazard material.
• Maintain strict confidence of all protected dental/medical information and LCHC operations information gained in the performance of duties at LCHC both in the clinic and outside the clinic. Follow proper HIPAA and LCHC policy protocol.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with support team to facilitate continuity of care for all patients.
• Conduct assigned quality control checks and other required checks and counts.
• Operate dental equipment following appropriate function and operating procedures. Report malfunctions immediately to supervisor or other personnel as appropriate.
• Participates in dental clinical quality monitoring as assigned.
• Participates in performance improvement activities and workgroups as assigned.
• Maintains strict confidence of all information gained in the performance of duties at LCHC.
• Attends required meetings and education programs - formal and informal; internal and external.
• Maintains compliance with applicable state and federal laws, regulations, and standards.
• Practices within the scope of training and abilities
• Reports directly to the La Pine Community Health Center Chief Dental Officer (CDO).
• Other Duties as assigned or needed.

Minimum Qualifications – Knowledge, Skill and Technical Qualifications

• Excellent customer service skills
• Able to prioritize and organize work according to multiple and, at times, competing timelines.
• Able to meet timelines for team and organizational goals safely and with a high level of quality.
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Successful relationship management skills involving multidisciplinary teams in a diverse, multicultural environment.
• Able to use initiative and good judgment to resolve problems and challenges.
• Able to work effectively in an operation that expects and promotes teamwork and has demonstrated ability to work with ambiguity.
• Able to inspire trust, confidence, and communicate effectively with internal and external audiences.
• Able to work independently, work with multiple projects and maintain a high degree of professionalism and confidentiality.
• High level computer skills, including use of Microsoft Office applications: Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook, Epic, Wisdom, and other systems.
• Knowledge of and compliance with HIPAA regulations
• Knowledge of customer service and workplace safety
• Able to work in a team environment, to work independently, and/or be self-directed.
• Identify learning needs and goals and design a plan to meet them.
• Able and willing to work in a dynamic and changing community health care environment.
• Current Oregon Driver’s License and proof of insurability.

Behavioral Qualifications

• Displays outstanding leadership skills.
• Able to work effectively at all levels in a collaborative multidisciplinary team environment.
• Able to offer guidance and supervision in a constructive and appropriate manner.
• Able to effectively lead staff meetings to review team progress in meeting financial and productivity goals for the dental program.
• Places a high value on personal and departmental performance excellence.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Professional manner and appearance.
• Outstanding customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Responds professionally to high-pressure situations and time limits.
• Works independently with little to no supervision.

Preferred Qualifications – Education / Experience

• Internal locus of control
• Expectation to excel and be part of a high functioning team.
• Understand and work within a systems perspective.
• Understand and work with HRSA requirements and expectations.

Education, License, and Certification

• Graduate of an accredited dental hygiene program
• Currently licensed by the state of Oregon
• X-ray Certification
• Current Healthcare Provider CPR certification
• Successful completion of LCHC credentialing and privilege requirements

Preferred Experience

• Minimum of two (2) years of experience working as a dental hygienist.
• Written and oral communication skills for providing instruction, guidance, and feedback to other team members, as well as communicating with patients and other healthcare providers.
• Strong leadership skills, including the ability to motivate and inspire team members, delegate tasks effectively, and resolve conflicts.
• 1 year of dental hygiene experience at a Federally Qualified Health Center.
• Experience utilizing OCHIN Wisdom electronic dental health records.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Physical Demands Required to Fulfill Essential Functions of this Position

Employee must be able to sit or stand for long periods of time. Employee must be able to focus on tasks while in an active office environment where conversation and noise is prevalent. Employee must be able to operate a keyboard, write, speak, and hear. Employee must be able to read small print both on paper and on a computer screen for long periods of time. Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.

Additional Requirements

• Submit to and pass a drug test.
• Successfully complete a criminal background check
• Must be able to work beyond normal working hours, including weekends (if necessary).

Working Conditions

• Work involves considerable exposure to unusual elements such as extreme temperatures, unpleasant odors and/or loud noises.
• Moderate physical activity. Requires handling average-weight objects up to 15-20 pounds, assisting with patients and standing and/or walking for most of the day.
• There may be exposure to airborne and blood-borne pathogens, and hazardous materials. This position may include working remotely. Will require OSHA training.
• Work environment involves exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations that require extensive safety precautions and may include the use of protective equipment.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

La Pine Community Health Center provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. La Pine Community Health Center complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the organization has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfers, leave of absence, compensation, and training.