Registered Dental Hygienist-Kingswood

Job description

This position is responsible for providing preventive and therapeutic dental hygiene services for infants, children, adolescents, and patients with special healthcare needs in a pediatric dental practice. The Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) promotes oral health through assessment, professional cleaning, radiographs as prescribed, preventive treatments, and age-appropriate education for patients and parents/caregivers. The RDH supports a positive, child-friendly experience through behavior guidance techniques and works closely with the pediatric dentist and clinical team to deliver safe, high-quality care. Reports directly to the Pediatric Dentist and/or Clinical Supervisor.
Essential Functions:
• Provide pediatric prophylaxis and periodontal maintenance as appropriate, including cleaning and examination of teeth and gingiva using dental instrumentation and age-appropriate techniques.
• Obtain and process digital radiographs as prescribed, using child-sized sensors/films, proper positioning, and radiation safety measures.
• Gather a comprehensive medical and dental history from parents/caregivers; perform age-appropriate assessments (including caries risk assessment) and identify contraindications or special needs prior to treatment.
• Clean and care for dental appliances and prosthetics as applicable (e.g., retainers, space maintainers), and provide home-care instructions to patients and caregivers.
• Provide preventive services and education, including fluoride varnish, sealants, and other preventive measures per standing orders and state of DE scope which requires a Dentist presence on-site while providing care; counsel patients and caregivers on oral hygiene, diet/nutrition, and caries prevention (including anticipatory guidance by age).
• Perform visual and tactile assessments of the oral cavity for signs of disease, trauma, or developmental concerns; communicate findings to the pediatric dentist and document accordingly.
• Sterilize, disinfect, and maintain clinical instruments and equipment; perform operatory set-up/turnover following OSHA, CDC, and practice infection-control protocols.
• Document all clinical information in the patient’s electronic dental record, including medical history updates, assessments, radiographs, services rendered, patient/parent education, and follow-up recommendations.
• Utilize age-appropriate communication and behavior guidance techniques to help children feel safe and cooperative; participate in quality/performance improvement and safety activities (including emergency preparedness) as required.

Requirements:
Associates degree required
DE Dental Hygienist License, DE Radiation Certification
6 months or more job-related experience required.