JOB TITLE:      REGISTERED DENTAL HYGIENIST

REPORTS TO:   DENTAL OFFICE MANAGER

1. JOB SUMMARY / OVERVIEW

Provides dental hygiene treatment, preventive measures and instruction to patients and the community. This position will work in the office and travel to schools, nursing facilities and disabilities services.

1. PRIMARY DUTIES

Every effort has been made to include all duties; however, the omission of a specific statement of duties does not exclude the duty from the position if the work is similar, related or is a logical assignment of the position.

• Provide dental prophylaxis, fluoride varnish and sealants using portable dental equipment to patients in Reno County and surrounding counties to schools, nursing facilities and disability services.
• Work with the dental staff to coordinate equipment, supplies and assistance.
• Coordinate care with patients, families, site staff and dental providers to ensure that legal consent for care is obtained, needed dental care is provided and reimbursement is received for dental services.
• Monitor and report patient/family satisfaction; progress toward program goals; completion of patient treatment plans.
• Ensure communication is available between patients, families and dental staff.
• Provide preventive and rehabilitative caries control and periodontal services as assigned by the patients’ treatment plan.
• Provide preventive and rehabilitative caries control and periodontal services as assigned by the patients’ treatment plan.
• Provide routine prophylaxis and topical application of fluoride to all eligible patients.
• Provide scaling when calculus is present.
• Provide root planing when tooth surface is rough.
• Remove overhangs of filling materials.
• Polish restorations.
• May use local anesthetic for procedures when a licensed dentist or medical provider is present.
• Provide preliminary charting of all head and neck pathology.
• Chart all existing caries and restorations, missing teeth and prostheses.
• Indicate all pockets over 3mm.
• Perform and document a complete head and neck exam, including soft tissue pathology.
• Take necessary safety precautions to protect patient from unnecessary radiation.
• Conduct oral health education.
• Provide chair-side instruction in plaque control and diet counseling.
• Bring to the attention of all patients, or their guardians, the benefits of fluorides in all forms (water fluoridation, systemic supplements, topical application, and dentifrice).
• Responsible for patient recall system. Duties related to patient recall may be delegated to other office staff, if available.
• Perform dental screenings in a public health setting according to KDHE calibration program.
• Assume the responsibilities associated with any expanded duties that may be delegated by the dentists. Accept delegation of only those duties within Kansas scope of practice

• EDUCATION / QUALIFICATIONS
• An Associate of Arts or higher degree from an accredited college with major course work in dental hygiene, or a related field, is preferred.
• A valid license to practice dental hygiene issued by the State of Kansas is required.
• Extended Care Permit I or II required.
• Valid driver’s license

1. EXPERIENCE / KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS

• At least one year of responsible dental hygiene experience is preferred.
• Demonstrate attention to detail.
• Must possess basic computer skills.
• Ability to speak, read, write and comprehend instructions in English.
• Ability to speak Spanish is helpful.

1. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use gross and fine hand and finger manipulation. Must be able to speak clearly, hear, and read,  The employee is required to sit, stand, walk, climb, and occasionally balance, stoop and kneel.  The employee must be able to lift and/or move portable equipment and supplies of 40 pounds or more.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee is frequently exposed to communicable diseases, blood and bodily fluids, toxic substances and other conditions common to a clinic environment.
• The employee must be able to drive and have a valid driver’s license and automobile liability insurance.