The Dental Hygienist supports dental care delivery and promotes dental health by completing dental prophylaxis; providing oral cancer screening and radiographic studies; charting conditions of decay and disease; performing procedures in compliance with the dental practice act.

Essential Functions

·   Prepares treatment room for patient by adhering to prescribed procedures and protocols.

·   Prepares patient for dental hygiene treatment by welcoming, soothing, seating, and draping patient.

·   Provides information to patients and employees by answering questions and requests.

·   Maintains instrumentation for dental hygiene treatment by sharpening, sterilizing, and selecting instruments.

·   Selects materials and equipment for dental hygiene visit by evaluating patient's oral health.

·   Completes dental prophylaxis by cleaning deposits and stains from teeth and from beneath gum margins.

·   Detects disease by completing oral cancer screening; feeling and visually examining gums; using probes to locate periodontal disease and to assess levels of recession; exposing and developing radiographic studies.

·   Arrests dental decay by applying fluorides and other cavity- preventing agents.

·   Maintains patient appearance and ability to masticate by cleaning and polishing removable appliances; placing, carving, and finishing amalgam restorations; removing cement from crowns and bridges.

·   Helps dentist manage dental and medical emergencies by maintaining CPR certification, emergency drugs and oxygen supply, and directory of emergency numbers.

·   Educates patients by giving oral hygiene and plaque control instructions and postoperative instructions; providing reminders of time of next dental hygiene visit.

·   Documents dental hygiene services by recording vital signs, if needed, and medical and dental histories; charting in patient records.

·   Maintains patient confidentiality and protects operations by keeping information confidential.

·   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.

·   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. 

Work Environment