Community health is about more than just vaccines and checkups. It’s about giving people the resources they need to live their best lives. At Neighborhood, this is our vision. A community where everyone is healthy and happy. We’re with you every step of the way, with the care you need for each of life’s chapters. At Neighborhood, we are Better Together.
As a private, non-profit 501(C) (3) community health organization, we serve over 500,000 medical, dental, and behavioral health visits from more than 96k people annually. We do this in pursuit of our mission to improve the health and happiness of the communities we serve by providing quality care to all, regardless of situation or circumstance.
We have been doing this since 1969 and it is our employees that make this mission a reality. Regardless of the role, our team focuses on being compassionate, having integrity, being professional, always collaborating, and consistently going above and beyond. If that sounds like an organization you want to be a part of, we would love to have you.
ROLE OVERVIEW and PURPOSE
The Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) improves the oral health of patients through the delivery of professional high-quality dental hygiene care and associated services. This role will perform broad responsibilities for clinic and community dental health education activities. Additionally, this role will support the dental team in a variety of patient care, office, and laboratory duties.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provides periodontal therapies and other dental hygiene related services to patients
- Assesses patient dental conditions and needs using approved patient screening procedures, including medical/dental history review, chief complaints, dental charting, and periodontal charting
- Evaluates overall oral health by examining oral cavity for signs of periodontal diseases, such as recessed or bleeding gums, and oral lesions
- Documents and reports pertinent observations and patient reactions to dentists
- Exposes, processes, and mounts radiograph films
- Follows through with oral hygiene procedures in accordance with treatment plans prescribed by the attending dentist, including prophylaxis, periodontal scaling, root planning, debridement, supra/subgingival scaling and curettage, fluoride treatments, and protective sealants
- Assists with or initiates emergency measures for sudden adverse developments during treatment of patients
- Educates patients in oral hygiene and dental care, including proper tooth brushing, flossing, nutrition, and need for professional care.
Clinical Operations Support & Compliance
- Enhances the efficiency of the clinic by performing expanded duties as allowable by law and directed by the dentist
- Documents lab procedures and ensures follow up on results
- Ensures direct patient care is delivered using established dental hygiene procedures
- Ensures all tasks provided and associated with patient care, patient administrative processes, and related duties comply with all regulatory/accreditation standards and clinic policies and procedures
- Manages and maintains patient records and related administrative documentation to ensure all records and related documentation are consistent with all HIPM and related regulations and requirements
- Utilizes the requisite tools, systems, technology, and equipment in the collection of patient data, records management, and collections
- Manages the dental office infection control plan to meet Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Center for Disease Control (CDC), and American Dental Association (ADA) standards
- Ensures compliance and attention to all corporate policies and procedures
- Maintains state license through continuing education, as required
Customer & Community Relations
- Ensures positive experiences for all patients, including treating patients with care and compassion
- Assists patients to feel comfortable before, during, and after dental treatment
- Develops favorable relationships with all patients by interacting positively to provide information and education about oral hygiene
- Interacts positively with a diverse, sometimes difficult, and demanding patient population
- Handles and resolves patient concerns with enthusiasm and empathy
- Establishes professional and favorable working relationships with all staff members associated with clinic operations, including patient services representatives, dental assistants, dentists, and related staff
- Cooperates with the team in accomplishing department goals and objectives
- Conducts dental health clinics for community groups to augment services of dentists
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
- High school/GED required
- Valid California Registered Dental Hygienist License required
- Valid BLS certification from approved American Health Association provider required upon hire
- Valid certification to administer local anesthesia is preferred
- Experience working in a FQHC setting preferred
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) required by site
ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities)
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including superior composition, typing and proofreading skills
- Ability to interpret a variety of instructions in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form
- Knowledgeable about and experience with performing a full range of established dental hygienist protocols/procedures
- Knowledgeable about and experience with dental practices and procedures
- Knowledge about and experience with using dental devices and equipment
- Ability to provide direct patient services and successfully manage difficult patient situations
- Knowledge about and experience with dental practices and procedures, including clinic infection control procedures, cleaning/sterilizing instruments, tray setup and materials
- Knowledge about and experience with establishing oral hygiene concepts and periodontal therapies
- Ability to independently assess the nature and extent of dental disease, associated conditions and pathology in dental patients
- Ability to analyze medical records and prescribed protocols to formulate effective therapeutic treatment plans
- Knowledge about and experience with dental surgeries and associated procedures, terminology, and techniques
- Ability to set-up and prepare dental equipment and instrumentation in accordance with established regulations and guidelines
- Knowledge of patient screening, charting and medical history procedures and documentation. Knowledge of patient admission, triage, transfer and discharge procedures and documentation.
- Knowledge about and experience with federal, state, and institutional regulations and guidelines for the provision of dental outpatient services.
- Ability to successfully manage multiple tasks simultaneously
- Excellent planning and organizational ability
- Ability to work as part of a team as well as independently
- Ability to work with highly confidential information in a professional and ethical manner
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift/carry 50 lbs/weight
- Ability to stand for long periods of time
Neighborhood Healthcare offers a generous benefit plan that includes: Partially company paid Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans. Two plus weeks of vacation, Nine Holidays including two Floating Holidays of your choosing, Sick/Personal time, Volunteer Time Off (VTO), 403b Retirement plan (similar to a 401k), optional Health and Wellness events, and much more!
Pay range: $50.71 - $61.06 per hour, depending on experience.
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