Overview
Dental Hygienists are responsible for providing oral care to patients under the supervision of a dentist. This includes, but is not limited to, cleanings, patient screenings, and advising patients on oral health and preventative care.
Responsibilities
- Establish and maintain positive relationships with patients, visitors, and other employees. Interact professionally, courteously, and appropriately with all.
- Contribute to and participate in the Performance/Quality Improvement activities of the assigned department, including data collection, analysis, and compliance with risk management activities.
- Remove calculus and plaque from all surfaces of the teeth under the supervision of a dental attending.
- Apply preventative materials to the teeth (ex: sealant, fluoride) under the supervision of a dental attending.
- Teach patients appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health (ex: brushing, flossing, nutritional counseling, smoking cessation) under the supervision of a dental attending.
- Take and develop dental radiographs under the supervision of a dental attending.
- Perform patient screening procedures, such as assessment of oral health conditions, review of health history, oral cancer screening, head and neck inspection, and taking blood pressure and pulse under the supervision of a dental attending.
- Display proficiency in both hospital and dental electronic medical record systems (ex: dental charting, coding, reviewing medical records, entering and amending notes) under the supervision of a dental attending.
- Counsel patients about healthy nutrition and its impact on oral health under the supervision of a dental attending.
Qualifications
- Minimum of 1 year of Dental Hygienist experience required.
- 2 years of experience preferred.
- New York State License as Dental Hygienist.
- High school graduate or equivalent.
- Computer literacy, especially with scheduling and medical records software.
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