Dental Hygienist

Job Summary

Dental Hygienist – Full‑time, on‑site at Springfield, MA 01103, USA.

Requisition Number: DENTA
001029. Reports to Dental Director. Salary/Status:
Non‑Exempt.

Minimum requirements:

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

• Assess dental condition and needs of patient; use patient screening procedures, including medical history review, dental charting, and perio charting; take patient vital signs as required.
• Deliver direct patient care using established dental hygienist procedures; perform routine treatment procedures such as prophylaxis, scaling and root planning, polishing, x‑rays, application of sealants and fluorides, and related procedures.
• Develop and implement individualized dental care plans; perform patient education, discharge planning, and patient/family teaching under the supervision of a qualified dentist.
• Provide chair‑side assistance to dentist during 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; 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, and in the patient admission, transfer, and discharge process; prepare reports and assist as required with patient 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.

• 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.
• Communicate technical information to non‑technical personnel.
• Independently assess the nature and extent of dental, periodontic, and associated conditions and pathology in dental outpatients.
• Perform a full range of established dental hygienist protocol and procedures.
• Knowledge of patient screening, charting, and medical history procedures and documentation.
• Knowledge of dental surgery and associated procedures, terminology, and techniques.
• Set up and prepare dental equipment and instrumentation in accordance with established regulations and guidelines.
• Independently perform emergency dental procedures.
• Knowledge of patient admission, triage, transfer, and discharge procedures and documentation.

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.

Requires the ability to use a computer workstation, viewing a CRT.

Salary range $46.35 - $52.79.