Registered Dental Hygienist - On Call

Job Overview

Key Responsibilities

· Provides high-quality dental hygiene care within the scope of service consistent with accepted standards of care;

· Evaluates patients and implements treatment regimens under the general supervision of the Dentist.

· Provides complete documentation of all findings, treatments and outcomes;

· Initiates oral health education and prevention activities;

· Reviews and interprets patient dental records;

· Works cooperatively with other Dental Program staff;

· Helps out where needed to ensure smooth, efficient running of Dental Program; and

· 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.

· Assesses dental conditions and risk, uses patient screening procedures, including medical history review, dental charting and perio-charting; takes patient vital signs as required;

· Delivers direct patient care to patients as assigned, using established dental hygienist procedures, such as cleaning, polishing, x-rays, application of sealants, fluorides and varnishes and related procedures;

· Develops and implements individualized dental care plans for patients; performs patient education and risk protocols, discharge planning, and patient/family teaching under the supervision of a dentist;

· Provides chair-side assistance to the dentist in the performance of special tests, procedures and complex treatments;

· Makes impressions of patients’ teeth for study casts;

· Documents dental history of chief complaint; records and reports pertinent observations and patient reactions to dental staff, as appropriate; documents lab procedures and ensure follow-up on result

· Assists with or institutes emergency measures for sudden adverse development during treatment of patients;

· Initiates patient care as appropriate for walk-in patients;

· Participates in Quality Improvement activities as requested by the Dentist/Clinical Dental;

· Assists in the preparation of patient care areas, and in the patient admission, transfer and discharge process, as required; prepares reports and assists as required with patient reception, telephone calls, routine triage and other office duties;

· Scans reception room for patients;

· Assumes responsibility for the upkeep of the dental operatory and equipment;

· Performs routine cleaning and maintenance of dental equipment in assigned operatories and for the assigned equipment. Regularly and thoroughly performs maintenance of assigned equipment;

· Uses downtime to clean and restock operatories; and

· Performs miscellaneous duties within the Dental Program as assigned. 
 

 Education and Knowledge, Skills and Abilities