Dental Hygienist

Dental Hygienist – Full‑Time On‑Site Springfield, MA 01103, USA. Reports to Dental Director. Salary range $46.35–$52.79. Minimum salary required: $46.35. State of Massachusetts.

• Assess dental condition and needs of patient; use patient screening procedures including medical history review, charting, and perio charting. Take vital signs as required.
• Deliver direct patient care using established dental hygienist procedures; perform routine treatment procedures such as prophylaxis, scaling, root planing, polishing, x‑rays, sealants, fluorides, and related procedures.
• Develop and implement individualized dental care plans; perform patient education, discharge planning, and patient/family teaching under supervision of a qualified dentist.
• Provide chair‑side assistance to dentist in performance of special tests, procedures, and complex treatments.
• Make impressions of patients’ teeth for study casts.
• Document dental history or chief complaint; record and report pertinent observations and patient reactions to dental staff as appropriate; document lab procedures and ensure follow‑up on results.
• Assist with or institute emergency measures for sudden adverse development during treatment of patients.
• Perform patient triage and initiate patient care as appropriate for walk‑in patients.
• Assist in preparation of patient care areas, patient admission, transfer, and discharge process as required; prepare reports and assist with reception, telephone calls, routine triage, and other office duties.
• Perform miscellaneous job‑related duties as assigned; ensure prior approvals are sent to Mass Health as needed.

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Minimum of one (1) year of directly related experience.
• Current licensure as a Dental Hygienist in the State of Massachusetts.
• Experience with or strong interest in addressing the health care needs of low income, special needs, or disadvantaged populations.

• Ability to analyze medical records and prescribed protocol to formulate effective treatment plans.
• Knowledge of federal and state regulations and guidelines for the provision of dental outpatient services.
• Ability to communicate technical information to non‑technical personnel.
• Ability to independently assess the nature and extent of dental, periodontic, and associated conditions and pathology in dental outpatients.
• Ability to perform a full range of established dental hygienist protocol and procedures.
• Knowledge of patient screening, charting, and medical history procedures and documentation.
• Knowledge and understanding of dental surgery and associated procedures, terminology, and techniques.
• Ability to set up and prepare dental equipment and instrumentation in accordance with established regulations and guidelines.
• Ability to independently perform emergency dental procedures.
• Knowledge of patient admission, triage, transfer, and discharge procedures and documentation.

Working Conditions:

This position may require the ability to work long and arduous hours. Moderate physical activity. Requires handling of average‑weight object up to 25 pounds or standing and/or walking for more than four (4) hours per day. Work environment involves exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations that require following extensive safety precautions and may include the use of protective equipment. Will work with blood or blood‑borne pathogens.

This position requires the ability to use a computer workstation, viewing a CRT.