Dental Hygienist

Summary

Under the general supervision of the Dental Director Samuels Sinclair Dental Center under clinical supervision of a staff dentist follows established policies and procedures in provision of dental care to specialized patient population comprised of mentally challenged pediatric and high‑risk inpatients and outpatients including those with contagious and communicable diseases. Provides patient assessment all preventative procedures primarily consisting of complete prophylaxis including sub‑gingival and supragingival scaling/polishing and root planing.

Exposes and develops dental radiographs for diagnostic examination. Provide patient/family/group education/instruction. May polish amalgams give fluoride treatments and apply tooth sealants. May assist dentist in providing care by setting up instruments preparing materials completing routine patient records cleaning equipment and sterilizing instruments seating and draping patients and transferring instruments during treatment. All essential functions performed in this position reflect the age‑specific needs of the patients.

• Performs complete subgingival and supragingival scaling procedures root planing gingival irrigation and subgingival periodontal antibiotic therapies.
• Performs prophylaxis/polishing procedures.
• Assesses evaluates and records patient oral health and general health information.
• Administers patient fluoride treatments.
• May administer local anesthesia with appropriate documentation of training.
• Provides patient age‑specific (patient/caregiver) education related to nutrition general and dental/oral health and conveys treatment and treatment plan to the patient parent and/or caregiver.
• Responsible for maintaining and documenting in a timely manner the patient dental record regarding services provided and/or recommended.
• Responsible for proper charting recording of treatment and treatment planning for patient examinations performed by the clinical dentist/specialist.
• Exposes and develops/processes intraoral/panorex dental radiographs.
• Performs blood pressures making referrals when necessary.
• Adheres to blood born pathogen standards by monitoring/documenting daily compliance sterilization records and quarterly sterilization reporting.
• Cleans equipment and area and prepares for sterilization.
• Polishes/smoothes amalgam restorations.
• Prepares the teeth and applies dental sealants.
• Maintains OSHA and infection control procedures for clinical work area (handpieces countertops chairs instrument soaking solutions) specified in the infection control policy.
• Maintains x‑ray processor as indicated cleaning thoroughly the radiograph tank/processor rollers and pans.
• Monitors hygiene/prophylaxis supplies and dental x‑ray film notifying ordering personnel when reorder is necessary.
• Sharpens dental instruments utilizing sharpening stones and equipment.
• Prepares operatory and patient trays for daily schedule load.
• Performs basic dental assisting duties for the dentist as necessary for overall operations. May assist dentist in the operating room.
• Participates in departmental performance improvement activities.
• Develops in‑service education programs in dental health for personnel involved in the health care for special population groups orally and/or in writing and related to capacities and abilities.
• Coordinates plans and presents community dental education to the appropriate extent through health fairs seminars and/or in‑services to both in‑house groups and various local outside agencies.
• Instructs and monitors performance of students/student hygienists as required through externship or shadowing experiences. Trains new clinical staff members through orientation and competency assessment.
• Performs other basic duties as necessary as prescribed by the Director for overall operations.

• Completion of an accredited Dental Hygienist program.
• Must be legally licensed and registered in the State of Rhode Island.
• Certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
• Knowledge of the material and instruments required for each procedure.
• Certification in administration of local anesthesia as required by the State of Rhode Island if administering local…