Public Health Dental Hygienist

Job Classification: Public Health Dental Hygienist

Schedule: Full-Time - 40 hours/week

Reports To: Dental Director

FLSA Status: Exempt

Location: All Health Centers

Heartland Alliance Health’s (HAH) mission is to transform healthcare for the most vulnerable – particularly people experiencing homelessness, mental illness or addictions, or struggling with multiple chronic illnesses – improving health for all and the well‑being of our community.

The Public Health Dental Hygienist (PHDH) is an actively licensed dental hygienist in the state of Illinois who may operate under the definition of “public health supervision.” Public health supervision is defined by the Illinois Dental Practice Act as:

The supervision of a public health dental hygienist by a licensed dentist who has a written public health supervision agreement with that public health dental hygienist while working in an approved facility or program that allows the public health dental hygienist to treat patients, without a dentist first examining the patient and being present in the facility during treatment, (1) who are eligible for Medicaid or (2) who are uninsured and whose household income is not greater than 300% of the federal poverty level.

Individual accountabilities and work volume will be established through the development of annual Success Objectives and annual Performance Evaluations, within the framework outlined below.

This role supports Heartland Alliance Health’s mission to transform healthcare for the most vulnerable—particularly people experiencing homelessness, mental illness or addictions, or struggling with multiple chronic illnesses—by delivering preventive oral health services to promote health equity and community well‑being.

• Perform the following duties under “supervision” requiring the dentist to be present within the facility or location of care including, but not limited to: i. Administration of Local Anesthetic
  * * Only upon successful completion of a training program approved by the licensing body
• Perform duties under “public health supervision” not requiring the dentist to be present within the facility or location of care including, but not limited to: i. Oral Prophylaxis (dental cleaning) ii. Application of Fluoride iii. Placement of Sealants iv. Placement of SDF v. Exposure and processing of x‑rays to teeth and surrounding structures vi. Any Procedures performed by a Dental Assistant

• Provide care as outlined by the public health supervision agreement between Heartland Alliance Health and the Public Health Hygienist.

• Provide coordinated and continuous primary dental care to clients that spans the health continuum by mutual goal setting and planning delivery of care
• Coordinate services in conjunction with other team members to meet clients primary dental health care needs and to ensure the continuity of care
• Participate in quality assurance activities through protocol development and collaborative peer review by: assisting in joint practice protocol development and identifying indicators for quality care; developing joint practice protocols and identifying appropriate evaluative criteria, evaluating clinical standards of care based on the quality assurance process; implements recommended changes and/or improvements to guarantee quality of care based on the evaluation process
• Assumes the responsibility for professional development and contributes to the professional growth of others by: developing in‑depth knowledge of daily program operations, policies and procedures; acting as a preceptor in the orientation of new dental care personnel, interns and volunteers; serving as a consultant in specialized populations to other dental care providers and community agencies.
• Review patient’s medical and dental history and identify any immediate or urgent needs
• Discuss with patient oral hygiene instructions that includes an obtainable plan for the patient’s needs. Identify obstacles and teach patients how to prevent dental disease. Dispense proper oral hygiene aids
• Maintain patient dental…