Dental Hygienist

Overview

I. BASIC FUNCTION: Provides dental prophylaxis to patients and educates patients about the need for proper oral hygiene care, as well as assists the Dentist in the delivery of other oral health services in accordance with the Missouri Dental Board Dental Practice Act and Rules – State of Missouri. All employees of FCHC must ensure service standards are delivered, including core values and customer service expectations.

• Demonstrates a commitment to FCHC mission and vision.
• Demonstrates a positive attitude towards patients, employees, role, and the health center.
• Demonstrates FCHC core values (accountability, courtesy, excellence, flexibility, integrity, respect).
• Smiles and makes appropriate contact, greets individuals upon entry into building and space.
• Is customer service oriented to both internal (colleagues) and external (patients, clients, vendors, etc.).
• Provides timely response to requests, tasks, and inquiries. Demonstrates good service turnaround.
• Demonstrates good communication skills and communicates in a tactful manner.
• Exhibits conflict resolution skills to foster effective working relationships and embraces a team approach.
• Adheres to FCHC’s dress code policies. Employee appearance and grooming appropriate.
• Shows commitment to position and team performance (e.g., attendance and punctuality).
• Considers and respects cultural differences; works well with individuals of diverse backgrounds, supporting justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Participates in training and professional development and completes required trainings in a timely manner.

• Adheres to and promotes a culture of safety and cleanliness.
• Adheres to HIPAA/Confidentiality standards.
• Respects FCHC property and safely uses Health Center equipment.

Department Officer:
Chief Dental Officer and/or Interim Chief Dental Officer

Reports to:

Chief Dental Officer and/or Interim Chief Dental Officer and/or Associate Dental Director and/or Dental Program Manager

Supervises:
None

• Greets patients and escorts to treatment area.
• Performs dental prophylaxis through cleaning, scaling and polishing of teeth and restorations.
• Exposes various x-ray films, as directed.
• Provides instruction to patients on appropriate or needed oral hygiene care based on the evaluation of each patient. Instructs patients in diet and nutrition for dental health.
• Applies topical fluoride and any prescribed topical medicament, antiseptic sprays and rinses.
• Assists other staff members in assuring that treatment areas are kept clean and sanitized.
• Determines appropriate time interval between cleanings based on evaluation of each patient and assists with future scheduling of patients.
• Applies pit and fissure sealants to sound teeth as treatment planned by Dentist.
• Maintains the physical condition of the clinical area and dental equipment and instruments used.
• Maintains Universal Precautions.
• Performs initial examination of teeth and tissue for carious lesions, periodontal pockets and other abnormal conditions. Informs Dentist of any problems.
• Assists dental providers in treatments, diagnostic exams, etc., as needed.
• Coordinates patient recall system.
• Maintains records and statistical data as assigned.
• Computer use and knowledge.
• Maintains CPR Certification and continuing education requirements for licensure.
• Monitors procedures such as preliminary review of the patient’s health history, dental charting, oral analysis, and taking and recording blood pressure and other vital signs.
• Removes plaque and calculus from above and below the gumline.
• Performs other duties as assigned within the scope of practice in accordance with Missouri Dental Board Dental Practice Act and Rules.

• Participates in Health Center staff problem solving groups.
• Attends and participates in department meetings, etc.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Inside Health Center:
All inclusive.

Outside Health Center:
Patients/clients, students, vendors, community health agencies, and visitors, etc.

• Graduate from a nationally accredited school of Dental Hygiene required.
• License to practice in the State of Missouri and in good standing required.
• Previous training and/or experience as a Dental Assistant (Certified or expanded duties) desirable.
• One or more years of successful work experience as a Dental Hygienist preferred.
• Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) or Licensed Dental Hygienist (LDH) in the State of Missouri required.

As required by the State of Missouri Dental Board Dental Practice Act and Rules.