Dental Hygienist

Summary: 

The dental hygienist is a care team member working from a patient-centered medical home model in an integrated primary care setting with unique responsibilities that touch all aspects regarding the oral health of patient care.  The dental hygienist embraces a team-based approach and is competent to function as an integral part of the patient oral health care team.  Hygienists in this position can function in all care team job roles to provide high quality, comprehensive dental care.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Communication: Conveys information accurately and efficiently.  Written communication is direct, concise, and easy to understand.  Ability to speak clearly and concisely.
• Decision-making:  Gathers necessary information to make good and timely decisions.  Uses sound judgment and instincts. 
• Directing others/Delegation: Assesses other staff member abilities and provides coaching and recognition. 
• Planning/Priority setting:  Organizes tasks and objectives in order of importance, timing, and predicted results.  Works within measurable goals and outcomes.
• Problem solving:  Works systematically to solve problems.  Develops reasonable and timely resolutions. 
• Initiative:  Takes prompt action to accomplish objectives.  Seeks to resolve problems without being asked.

Key Functions:

• Provides team leading/building, direction, or supervision to clinic dental assistants.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks to completion.
• Monitors patient flow and assists with administrative functions as appropriate, which often require the use of a computer.
• Receives telephone calls with dental questions, answers patient questions, and gives directions to patients as authorized by the dentist.
• Plans care by reviewing schedules and charts to pro-actively prepare for patient encounters.
• Assists with Language Live.
• Assists Dental Infection Control Coordinator to support a compliant, safe work environment.
• Maintains all dental department areas in compliance with dental department protocols relative to infection control, exposure control, and safety issues.
• Follows CDC and OSHA guidelines for safety and infection control, including the use of Personal Protective Equipment and Universal Precautions.
• Follows proper disposal of all contaminated or potentially contaminated materials in accordance with state and federal regulations.
• Ability to operate all types of dental equipment and machinery.
• Completes preparation and maintenance of dental equipment, instruments, and supplies including sharpening and sterilization.
• Maintains adequate inventory of supplies for ordering purposes.
• Completes initial dental hygiene examinations, periodontal evaluations, and oral cancer screenings.
• Promotes oral health and disease prevention through dental education and clinical measures.
• Performs oral health interventions in a professional, competent manner. 
• Maintains competency in skills and stays current with professional practice guidelines.
• Maintains strong knowledge base in oral health disease process.
• Facilitates dental diagnosis and treatment recommendations as advised by dentist.
• Creates treatment plans to maintain or restore oral health of our patients while incorporating their desires and needs.
• Provides dental cleanings, including prophylaxis, SRP, and general debridement, to remove plaque or tartar build up, calculus, and stains from teeth.
• Performs independent procedures as delegated under the direction of the dentist in accordance with state regulation, law, and dental clinic protocol. 
• Applies protective materials to teeth such as sealants and fluorides when indicated.
• Performs and develops dental x-rays according to state regulations and law, as well as dental clinic directive and protocol.
• Obtains dental impressions/records as requested by dentist.
• Performs proper, safe administration of local anesthesia, if applicable.
• Performs functions related to clerical duties, progress notes, encounter forms, appointment schedule, referrals, and internal reports.
• Completes treatment notes in a professional, inclusive, and timely manner.
• May assist Dentist in restorative or surgical dentistry.
• Participates in Grace Health Outreach health promotion/disease prevention activities, both on-site and off-site as required.
• Supports and assists special community oriented dental care programs.
• Ability to operate an electronic dental records software system, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, text paging, Internet, and Intranet.
• Knowledgeable of clinical quality measures and preventive health maintenance recommendations.
• Understands population health and works collaboratively with health care team to promote health and wellness.
• Travel to other clinic sites to meet operational needs, including our school-based health programs.
• Participate in dental and organizational meetings.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

 To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to assist in advancing Grace Health’s mission and 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.

SKILLS:

• Communication
• Computer/Technology
• Conflict resolution
• Customer service
• Team building
• Time management
• Critical thinking
• Leadership

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: 

• Graduate of accredited school of dental hygiene 
• Active, unrestricted, dental hygiene license in state of Ky 
• Preferred 1 year of experience
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required
• Participates in continued education
• Local Anesthesia and General Supervision permits preferred

BENEFITS:

• Safe harbor 401(k) with match potential
• Paid time off
• Family friendly work environment
• Health insurance
  • Wellness program
  • Health savings account
  • Pharmacy benefit
  • Employee visits for medical services
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life Insurance
• STD/LTD
• EAP & Work life services
• Voluntary benefits
• Hospital indemnity

Grace Health provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

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