Dental Hygienist

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

• Develop and implement preventative oral health programs for patients, school children and other organizations; demonstrate oral hygiene methods that promote behavior modification; develop individual prevention plans for patients considering physical, mental and emotional skills.
• Provide clinical dental hygiene services to adults and children, including prophylaxis, scaling, root planning, soft tissue curettage, periodontal charting, treatment planning and therapy; perform fluoride applications; polish restorations and alloys; sharpen and sterilize instruments; expose, mount and provide initial review of x-rays; place dental sealants and screens; provide blood pressure screening and administer topical and local anesthesia; provide nitrous oxide, high speed polishing and denture reline.
• Consult with dentists on individual patient needs and complex medical histories; facilitate emergency dental care for patients and provide referrals for accessing urgent care; provide telephone confirmations and maintain an on-call waiting list.
• Maintain program and patient records, files, charts and chain of infection control; collect and generate program activity, statistics and demographic data reports; review and participate in the development of dental programs clinical protocols, policies and procedures for compliance and effectiveness.
• Order, store and maintain dental supplies and equipment; sharpen, clean and sterilize dental instruments and portable dental sealant equipment; ensure dental rooms are orderly and clean.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

LEVEL AND TYPE OF WORK AND/OR SUPERVISION:

Dental Hygienist

• Journey level
• Technical
• Perform the full range of duties, working independently, applying well-developed subject knowledge, and exercising judgment and initiative.
• Receive occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise.
• Fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit.
• Work is reviewed based on compliance, appropriateness, and effectiveness in meeting goals and deadlines.
• Receive general supervision from manager or staff.
• Exercise functional and technical supervision over staff.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS GUIDELINES:

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. Requirements are determined at the time of recruitment based on responsibilities of the individual position and business needs of the department.

Dental Hygienist

Training and experience for journey level, technical classifications are typically equivalent to an associate's degree and one (1) to four (4) years of experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position. (Equivalency 3-6 years of qualifying training and/or experience).

Depending upon assignment, candidates may be required to pass a criminal background check, have a valid driver license, and/or additional training, licenses, or certificates.

REQUIRED TRAINING, LICENSES, AND/OR CERTIFICATES:

• Dental Hygiene license issued by the State of Oregon, including a local anesthesia permit.
• CPR certification required.