Dental Hygienist

The Dental Hygienist provides direct patient care under the general supervision of the dentist and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision. It is expected that they provide direct patient care and receive guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff members for only the most complex patients.

Duties include but not limited to:

Assignments at this level include but are not limited to: patient medical assessment (e.g. medical/dental history, social history, vital signs, full periodontal assessment and charting), disease and treatment management recommendations, denture care, scaling and root planning, radiographs/image interpretation, patient education (e.g. post-procedure, tobacco cessation, caries and perio-disease prevention), behavior management, management of stable medically compromised patients (including risk factors), instrument sharpening and inter service communication.

Customer Service/Veteran-Centered Care:

Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public. Assists customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery;
Delivers care that reflects the Veteran's and the family's personal goals, personal preferences, and freedom of choice. Demonstrates knowledge and application of patient and family-centered care in written care plans, instructions to patients, and in observation of the actual care provided. Demonstrates non-judgmental understanding of the Veteran's and family's knowledge, values, beliefs, and cultural backgrounds.

Demonstrates collaborative orientation to working with patients and families.

Patient Care:

Sets up operatory for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover. Complies with patient identification, time-out, and reusable medical equipment processes. Handles instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently. Takes and records vital signs, reviews medical history. Charts oral conditions. Assesses patient's medical, dental, anxiety/phobias, medications, and comorbidities;
Assesses the impact of patient's medical and dental condition on maintaining oral health. Recognizes age-related changes in individual patients, adapts patient. environment, and maximizes patient's physical comfort. Provides routine oral prophylactic care. Provides gross debridement, scaling and root planning procedures. Provides subgingival curettage. Cleans dental prostheses, fixed and removable. Applies appropriate topical fluoride solutions or varnishes. Manages dental recall system, referring patients to the doctor for additional care when needed;
Administers topical anesthetic agents;
Applies desensitizing agents. Performs routine maintenance of equipment components such as suction traps, water lines, etc. Accomplishes all procedures within standard infection-control protocols.

Patient

Education:

Provides patient education appropriate to the Veteran's needs and oral condition. Explains hygiene procedures, indications, complications and expected outcomes to individual patient and caregiver. Prepares and provides education on periodontal disease, wellness, health maintenance, oral hygiene

practices, parafunctional habits, and effect of illness, addictions, medications, and tobacco on the oral cavity.

Dental Imaging:

Takes diagnostic quality images that are accurately oriented and exposed;
Utilizes dental imaging safety techniques with minimal retakes.

Infection control and Equipment Sterilization:

Demonstrates proper infection-control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatory and in exposing images. Properly prepares instruments for sterilization by SPS standards;
Prepares instruments in a manner that does not delay clinical care.

Clerical Functions:

Assists patients in scheduling appointments. Assists in filling gaps in the schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments.

Information Management:

Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information;
Follows computer security regulations.

Patient Safety:

Modifies care as appropriate for patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position);
Modifies care based on patient's medical, dental, anxiety/phobias, medications, and comorbidities. Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients. Participates in patient identification and time out per TJC requirements;
Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress.

Employee

Education:

Complies with Employee Education requirements. Completes mandatory annual training sessions. Maintains all continuing education requirements for professional licensure, certifications, etc.

Work Schedule:

7:30am - 4:00pm. (Intermittent, 2-3 Saturdays per month).

Telework:
Not Available.

Virtual:
This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 544-59276F.

Relocation/Recruitment

Incentives:

Not Authorized.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS):
Not Authorized.