Hygienist

Job Summary:
Seeking Full Time RDH...
The RDH is in a special position to provide our patients the most important health service:
ongoing preventive oral care by cleaning, scaling and polishing teeth to prevent gum disease.

Essential Duties:
• Conducts patient care and duties in accordance with Henderson Mill Dental Care’s core
values of integrity, dedication, honesty, compassion, respect and trust.
• Be present on days scheduled to work and arrive before the first patient.
• During morning huddles, reports on production results, addresses problems that occurred,
and evaluates patient flow from the previous day when asked. Updates staff on the status
of the current day’s production goals and identifies scheduling gaps.
• Prepares all treatment rooms including, but not limited to, set-up, decontamination,
sterilizing and sharpening all instruments, cleaning hand pieces and room, restocking
supplies.
• Produces copies of the hygiene schedule and posts in all rooms each day.
• Observes schedule and calls the patient if she/he is late.
• Provides customer service support to patients by escorting them to and from the treatment
room.
• Communicates arrival of the patient with the hygienist and notifies doctor when patient is
ready for examination.
• Takes the patient’s blood pressure.
• Sets up new patient charts.
• Updates medical histories.
• Records treatment information on the patient's chart, including treatment rendered, the
type of treatment planned and the amount of chair time, doctor time and assistant time
needed for next appointment.
• Records evaluation of periodontal conditions, occlusal relations and extent of prophylaxis
on dental chart to ensure a complete diagnosis and proper treatment plan by the dentist.
• Inspects patient’s oral cavity and charts lesions, existing restorations and missing teeth.
• Performs oral cancer exam on all patients.
• Administers Nitrous Oxide and Oxygen to patients as applicable.
• Applies non-aerosol and non-caustic topical agents and pit and fissure sealants.
• Removes excess cement from supragingival surfaces of teeth.
• Assists doctor during clinical exam and record findings and recommendations.
• Takes radiographs as directed by the doctor.
• Scales, polishes, and applies fluoride (as needed) to patient’s teeth.
• Polishes restorations and appliances (partials, dentures, etc.).
• Evaluates gingival health and health of all oral tissue.
• Executes root planning and Myofunctional evaluations.
• Be able to take intra oral images that can be used to document, educate, and present to the
patient and/or doctors.
• Recommends the need for quality restorative dentistry (when applicable).
• Implements a hygiene program that reflects the importance of early diagnosis and optimal
non-surgical treatment of periodontal disease.
• Evaluates the periodontal status of every patient and individually develop a treatment
plan to convert prior “prophy” patterns to continuing regimens.
• Standardizes the flow of therapy to ensure continuity of treatment, monitors scheduled
therapy and contacts patients who have not completed therapy.
• Educates patients on the importance of preventative care, the disease process and the role
of bacteria; provides appropriate educational literature and instruction on home care.
• Counsels patients on diet for less disease and better general health.
• Observes and records the patient's progress throughout the program.
• Advises parents on the progress of treatment rendered to their children.
• Schedules patient’s next treatment appointment, or communicates with appropriate staff
to ensure this is done before patient leaves the practice.
• Ask for patient reviews that can be presented to give positive experiences of the practice.
• Ask for referrals.
• Conduct hygiene chart reviews for the next day.
• Tracks changes or additions in the schedule and keeps scheduling system current.
• Maintains equipment, instruments, supplies and coordinates with the hygiene
representative.
• Implements and monitors recall system; contacts patients who are overdue for a recall.
• Help hygienist, doctors, dental assistants or business administration team when needed.
• Supports other team members and serves as a role model for others.
• Be able to answer phone and perform limited business administrative duties when
needed.
• Helps fill the patient schedule when there are openings to keep production levels high
each day.
• Maintains the cleanliness of treatment room and equipment.
• Assist management with recruiting new hygiene team members; instructs new team
member in effective treatment planning.
• Motivates self and team for high performance and continually refines procedures for
optimum production.
• Maintains continuing education requirements and continues to grow as a professional.
• Strives to improve techniques, learn new procedures and grow as an individual.
• Practices universal precautions and other sterilization and infection prevention
procedures.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
• Ability to maintain composure and professionalism when exposed to stressful situations.
• Skilled in the use of an ultrasonic.
• Ability to perform scaling and root planning, take radiographs, and administer Nitrous
Oxide.
• Adheres to OSHA regulations and changes.
• Knowledge of English composition, grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Skilled in the use of standard office equipment including: telephones, calculators, copiers,
fax, computers, and computer software (MS Excel, Word, Practice Management
software).
• Ability to engender trust from the doctors, co-workers, and patients.
• Ability to work cooperatively with management, staff, and patients.
• Ability to prioritize, organize, and complete tasks in a timely and independent manner.
• Ability to understand and follow written and verbal instructions and accept constructive
criticism.
• Ability to collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and maintain
confidentiality.
• Ability to communicate and express thoughts and ideas competently.
• Ability to quickly grasp relevant concepts regarding duties and responsibilities.

Education / Experience:
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Minimum of 2 year(s) relevant experience as a hygienist
Special Requirements/Certifications/Licenses:
• Valid X-ray certificate
• Current State RDH license
• Current CPR & first aid certificate

Physical and Environmental Requirements:
• May be required to lift up to 35 lbs. or roll a 80-pound machine on wheels from one area
to another.
• Hand-eye coordination and hand, arm, and finger mobility for detailed work with objects.
• May be required to physically assist drowsy patients after anesthesia.
• Active movement throughout the day: sitting, walking, standing, squatting, bending,
stooping, reaching, etc. (not a sedentary position).
• Vision: close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to
adjust focus.
• Hearing: able to satisfactorily communicate with patients, doctor, and other staff
members to ensure that verbal communication is clearly understood, particularly during
emergency situations.
• Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard
or operate equipment.
• May be required to administer CPR.
• Occasional exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals and radiation.
• Exposure to moderate noise levels and hectic, fast-paced, high anxiety environments.
Additional or different duties may be assigned occasionally at employer’s discretion.

Practice types:
General
Multi doctor
Private