Dental Hygienist

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assesses dental condition and needs of patient; uses patient screening procedures, to include medical history review, dental charting, and perio charting; takes patient vital signs as required.
• Delivers direct patient care to patients as assigned, using established dental hygienist procedures; performs routine treatment procedures such as cleaning, polishing, periodontal scaling and root planning, x-rays, application of sealants and fluorides, and related procedures.
• Develops and implements individualized dental care plans for patients; performs patient education, discharge planning, and patient/family teaching under the supervision of a qualified dentist.
• Provides chair-side assistance to dentist in the performance of special tests, procedures, and complex treatments.
• Makes impressions of patients' teeth for study casts.
• Documents dental history or chief complaint; records and reports pertinent observations and patient reactions to dental staff, as appropriate.
• Assists with or institutes emergency measures for sudden adverse developments during treatment of patients.
• May participate in community and school activities.
• Performs patient triage and initiates patient care as appropriate for walk-in patients.
• Assists in preparation of patient care areas, and in the patient admission, transfer, and discharge process, as required; prepares reports and assists as required with patient reception, telephone calls, routine triage, and other office duties.
• Adheres to the terms and conditions set forth in BSHC's corporate compliance program.
• Ensures confidential information in accordance with BSHC's policy and current HIPAA regulations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS / REQUIREMENTS:

• Associate's degree from an accredited Dental Hygiene program.
• Current license as a Dental Hygienist in Kentucky.
• 2 years' experience directly related to duties and responsibilities preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.
• Work may also be performed in a mobile dental clinic setting, such as the interior of a school or mobile dental van.