- Permanent Dental Hygienist Job
- Casa Grande, AZ
Job Description
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:
The Dental Hygienist is primarily responsible for the direct provision of oral hygiene and appropriate preventive services to dental patients, and providing appropriate oral health information to individuals and groups. The hygienist performs assignments, which require knowledge of the principles and practice of modern oral hygiene and periodontal patient care. The hygienist must be cognizant of the public health, social and economic factors that affect the overall health and the oral health of patients, requiring the ability to creatively solve problems through individual and programmatic action.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Provide clinical oral hygiene services including dental prophylaxis, scaling, root planning, sealant application, polish teeth and fluoride application, administer local anesthesia when necessary consistent with accepted professional practices and standards in compliance with applicable state law
Obtain baseline oral hygiene assessment data, based upon accepted principles of oral hygiene and periodontal care. Assist in the oral health management of all clinic patients
Upon referral from the dentist, examines patients surrounding tissues and teeth to determine extent of abnormal condition requiring treatment and determines dental hygiene treatment plan
Perform independent procedures as delegated and directed by a dentist in accordance with state regulations and law as well as dental department protocol and directives
In post-operative care of oral surgery and periodontal surgery patients, performs suture removal, changes dressings, applies topical anesthetics, and instructs patient in home care therapy and proper diet as it relates to oral health
In oral cancer patients, takes impressions for construction of mouth guards, applies fluoride using tray technique, and maintains recall system for careful follow-up of each patient. Educates patient on daily oral health and fluoride treatment needs
Performs additional procedures such as recording medical and dental histories, reviewing patients dietary habits, administers caries prevention agents, desensitizes root surfaces, root planning, and takes and pours impressions for study casts
Record patient-hygienist transactions in the patients dental record to assure the dental record accurately and completely reflect the nature of the contact, the condition of the patient, and the care or treatment provided
Instruct patients at chair-side on oral hygiene. Plans and adapts instructions in home care techniques and selects appropriate adjuncts (i.e. floss, proxibrush, period-aid), tailoring them to the oral hygiene needs and oral problems of individual patients. Explains to patients the causes of periodontal disease and tooth decay, risk factors for periodontal disease, and the importance of diet as it relates to oral and systemic health
Instructs the nurses, health educators, and social workers, nursing assistants, community health representative and other medical staff in the proper techniques of oral hygiene to use in our young patients, the bedridden, handicapped, disabled and chronically ill patients. Presents lectures and demonstrations in oral health care to various patient and community groups
Integrate appropriate patient dental hygiene care with other health care professionals involved in the patients health care management
Participates in the Quality Improvement program of the dental department
Assist in the maintenance of all dental areas in compliance with department directive and policies as well as SLFHC policies and procedures relative to infection control, exposure control and safety issues
Insure the proper disposal of all contaminated or potentially contaminated materials in accordance with department directive and center policy, as well as state and federal regulations. Assure compliance with the clinics exposure control plan
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
High School diploma or equivalency
Graduate of an accredited school of dental hygiene
Current valid Arizona license to practice oral hygiene
Certified as a radiographer
