Dental Hygienist

Position Summary/ Department Summary:
Works as part of a dental care team providing comprehensive, community based dental services consistent with RDH certification, to primarily pediatric patients and a limited population of adult patients.

Key Responsibilities:
* Performs standard dental hygiene treatments, oral evaluations, preventive dental health education, and mouth care. Ensure that each patient is briefly examined by a licensed dentist at each visit. Consults with a licensed dentist when referral for additional services is appropriate.
*Reviews patient dental care history prior to patient appointment, Checks medical record for information as needed.
*Follows all patient care standards, policies and procedures. Reviews and annotates patient oral, medical, family and social history
*Takes, develops, mounts and files dental radiographs that meet the minimum departmental standards for quality and readability. Understands proper positioning technique and other requirements when taking panoramic and/or cephalometric films. Checks quality of image and reviews with provider before re-taking an image, to minimize exposure to radiation. Takes digital photographs as instructed. May scan physical (non-digital) images into electronic dental record.
*Charts teeth and conditions in patient's electronic dental record as directed by the licensed provider.
*Educates patients/parents/caregivers about procedures, post-care treatment and long-term oral care. Modifies instructions and education to the appropriate age level as necessary.
*Prepares for patient care by ensuring a clean and safe environment for direct care and that treatment materials/tools and educational materials are set up. Handles sterile instruments and materials according to standard procedures. Follows department/ADA approved procedures for disinfecting/cleaning operatory between patient visits.
*Documents and enters charges for all procedures performed in a timely manner and according to departmental standards. Schedules appointments in system.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:
Associate's Degree is required.

Experience:
1 year of full time experience in pediatric dentistry is required.

Licensure/ Certifications:
Current Massachusetts license as a Registered Dental Hygienist R.D.H.
Current CPR certification is required.