The Affiliated Practice Dental Hygienist is primarily responsible for the direct provision of oral hygiene and appropriate preventive services to dental patients, and providing appropriate oral health information to individuals and groups for Mountain Park Health Center (MPHC). The hygienist performs assignments, which require knowledge of the principles and practice of modern oral hygiene and periodontal patient care. The hygienist must be cognizant of the public health, social and economic factors that affect the overall health and the oral health of patients, requiring the ability to creatively solve problems through individual and programmatic action.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

· The hygienist will take x-ray images using a Phosphor Storage Plate (PSP) and scan digital film with Scan-X Intraoral Digital Scanning System. Using the Visix Imaging Software, the patient’s name, DOB, date images were taken, and type of images will be saved to patient record in Electronic Dental Record.

· Provide clinical oral hygiene services including dental prophylaxis, scaling, root planning, sealant application, polish teeth and fluoride application, administer local anesthesia when necessary consistent with accepted professional practices and standards in compliance with applicable state law. Assist providers with all procedures that Arizona state law specifies can be carried out by a dental assistant (e.g., placement of rubber dam, fabrication, and cementation of temporary crowns.

· Assist the providers in patient care by practicing accepted four-handed dentistry techniques.

· Record providers’ findings as outlined in procedure DEN 3.09.01 Charting.

· Obtain baseline oral hygiene assessment data, based upon accepted principles of oral hygiene and periodontal care. Assist in the oral health management of all clinic patients.

· Upon referral from the dentist, examines patient’s surrounding tissues and teeth to determine extent of abnormal condition requiring treatment and determines dental hygiene treatment plan.

· Perform independent procedures as delegated and directed by a dentist in accordance with state regulations and law as well as dental department protocol and directives.

· In post-operative care of oral surgery and periodontal surgery patients, suture removal, changes dressings, applies topical anesthetics, and instructs patient in home care therapy and proper diet as it relates to oral health.

· In oral cancer patients, takes impressions for construction of mouth guards, applies fluoride using tray technique, and maintains recall system for careful follow-up of each patient. Educates patients on daily oral health and fluoride treatment needs.

· Performs additional procedures such as recording medical and dental histories, reviewing patient’s dietary habits, administers caries prevention agents, desensitizes root surfaces, root planning, and takes and pours impressions for study casts.

· Record patient-hygienist transactions in the patient’s dental record to assure the dental record accurately and completely reflect the nature of the contact, the condition of the patient, and the care or treatment provided.

· Instruct patients at chair-side on oral hygiene. Plans and adapts instructions in home care techniques and selects appropriate adjuncts (i.e., floss, proxobrush, period-aid), tailoring them to the oral hygiene needs and oral problems of individual patients. Explains to patients the causes of periodontal disease and tooth decay, risk factors for periodontal disease, and the importance of diet as it relates to oral and systemic health.

· Instructs the nurses, health educators, and social workers, nursing assistants, community health representative and other medical staff in the proper techniques of oral hygiene to be applied to young patients, the bedridden, handicapped, disabled and chronically ill patients. Presents lectures and demonstrations in oral health care to various patient and community groups.

· Integrate appropriate patient dental hygiene care with other health care professionals involved in the patient’s health care management.

· Participates in the Quality Improvement program of the dental department.

· Assist in the maintenance of all dental areas in compliance with department directive and policies as well as SLFHC policies and procedures relative to infection control, exposure control and safety issues.

· Ensure the proper disposal of all contaminated or potentially contaminated materials in accordance with department directive and center policy, as well as state and federal regulations. Assure compliance with the clinic’s exposure control plan.

· Maintain patient records as directed by dental operations director and dental director.

· Relate information, instructions, and directions to the patients and/or parents or guardians of patients regarding dental treatment at the direction of the dentist.

· Obtain informed consent from patients for specified dental procedures before start of procedure (endodontia, exodontia, fixed and removable prosthodontics, nitrous oxide sedation, passive restraint of minors).

· Take and record blood pressures on patients according to established procedure MED 6.09.01 Blood Pressure Techniques and Guidelines.

· Work well with people of varied cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds

· Wash, sterilize, and prepare all instruments and work areas according to the Infection Control Protocols when sterilization technician is not available.

· Clean and maintain the dental equipment and instrumentation.

· Must be computer literate.

· Inform lead assistant when supply inventory is low according to established protocols.

· Perform other duties as assigned.

· Must be able to embrace differences among people and is able to interact with internal staff as well as external contacts in a culturally competent and respectful manner.

· Assists with Pediatric Dental screenings as needed.

MAINTENANCE DUTIES

· Equipment and area maintenance duties will be assigned to individual Dental Assistants/Hygienist as follows:

· Changing suction traps in the compressor room on a weekly basis. This is logged weekly.

· Daily quality control, maintaining logbook.

· Scan X maintenance requirements are limited to general routine care, and a qualified technician will serve for two (2) years and four (4) years.

· A daily maintenance log is kept for each unit of N2O/oxygen to track amounts used.

· Collecting and distributing radiation badges.

· Changing suction traps in each operatory.

· Stocking Operatories as needed.

· Per manufacturer’s instructions, a daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning/maintenance will be done on each autoclave/station. All maintenance will be logged. Weekly spore testing will be done and logged.

Minimum Qualifications:

· High school diploma or general education degree (GED)

· Graduate of an accredited school of dental hygiene

· Current Arizona Dental Hygienist license

· Current Arizona license to practice oral hygiene.

· Radiology/X-Ray Certificate

Preferred Qualifications:

· Registered Dental Hygienist