Dental Hygienist

POSITION SUMMARY:

The person in this role will perform primary dental hygiene and assist the dentist in providing quality dental care.  The Hygienist will work as part of the dental care team and ensure effective and quality dental care is given to KVHC patients.  This person will aid in coordination and implementation of dental care programs and patient education.

RESPONSIBILITIES:       

1. Review of daily schedule and/or processing of systems and requests.
2. Interview patients and record complete medical and dental histories.
3. Take and record the vital signs of blood pressure, when needed.
4. Perform oral inspections, recording all conditions that should be called to the attention of the dentist.
5. Perform complete periodontal and dental restorative charting.
6. Expose and process radiographs.
7. Perform pulp test pursuant to the direction of a dentist.
8. Perform all procedures necessary for a complete prophylaxis including scaling, root planning and curettage.
9. Apply fluoride to control caries.
10. Apply desensitizing agents to the teeth as needed.
11. Apply liquids, pastes or gel topical anesthetics.
12. Apply sealants, provided that a licensed dentist first makes the determination and diagnosis as to the surfaces on which the sealants shall be applied.
13. Smooth and polish amalgam restorations.
14. Cement pontics and facings outside the mouth.
15. Take impressions of study casts.
16. Take impressions for single-arch athletic mouth guards and for custom fluoride trays.
17. Place and remove rubber dams.
18. Remove sutures and periodontal dressings.
19. Perform post operative irrigation or surgical sites.
20. Place temporary restorations as an emergency procedure, provided that the patient is informed of the temporary nature of the filling and the dentist consulted.
21. Isolate operative fields.
22. Sterilize and prepare instruments and assist the dentist chair side, as needed.
23. Maintain adequate level of dental hygiene supplies to ensure efficient operation.
24. Provide general periodic maintenance of all dental hygiene equipment, including X-ray developing equipment, to ensure proper functioning.
25. As directed, explain the use of prescription medications and their side effects.
26. Perform other duties, projects as assigned by the Supervising Dentist or Dental Practice Manager.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

1. High School diploma or GED certificate. Or a combination of education and experience.
2. Maine registered Dental Hygienist license. Maine registered Radiology license.
3. Three to five years experience.
4. Ability to work with public and other medical and health providers.