Registered Dental Hygienist 16 to 20 hours per week

Job description

Description
POSITION TITLE: Registered Dental Hygienist
RESPONSIBLE TO: Dental Director
FLSA STATUS: Full time – Exempt, Part time – Non-Exempt
Purpose of Position: Registered Dental Hygienist will examine patients for signs of oral diseases, such as gingivitis, provide preventive care including oral hygiene, and educate patients about oral health.
Requirements
Qualifications:
• Graduate from an accredited Dental Hygiene program.
• Have a current license in the states of Idaho and Oregon.
• Be CPR Certified.
• Be licensed according to state laws to administer Nitrous Oxide.
• Be licensed according to state laws to administer local anesthesia.

Responsibilities:
• Work with patients to conduct dental and medical histories.
• Conduct oral exams of the hard and soft tissues of the mouth.
• Notify the dentist of questionable areas on the hard or soft tissue.
• Evaluate plaque accumulation, calculus accumulation, bleeding upon probing.
• Perform scaling and root planning, curettage, oral prophylaxis and topical fluoride treatment.
• Place sealants.
• Provide patient education regarding oral hygiene problems (i.e. rampant decay, diet, periodontal disease, smoking cessation, OHI tools, and all other aspects of dentistry related to hygiene/preventive issues).
• Check and maintains clinical equipment and instruments.
• Take x-rays and assist the dentist when necessary.
• Sharpen and sterilize instruments.
• Help assistants in their duties as necessary and as time allows.
• Administer and monitor patients on Nitrous Oxide.
• Maintain OSHA records and evaluate overall cleanliness of the facility.
• Oversee chart reviews biannually.
• Take Continuing Dental Education courses required to maintain current licensure in Idaho and Oregon.
• Act as community advocate.
• Prepare dental education material to present and distribute to schools, community groups, day cares, and other interested parties.
• Provide dental screening as often as population increases and time allows.

Physical Requirements:
• Be able to lift without adverse effects weights up to 25 pounds.
• Be able to endure long periods of standing, sitting, bending or stooping.
• Have correctable vision and hearing.
• Be able to read, write and speak clearly.
• Possess the appropriate manual dexterity to perform successfully the duties described within this Job Description "Dental Hygienist".
• The ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Environmental conditions:
The VFHC Dental Clinic work environment is much like that of a typical dental office where the risk of exposure to strong bright light, a high decibel level, ionizing radiation, and blood borne pathogens can and do exist.