Dental Hygienist

DENTAL HYGIENIST

At Neighborhood Health, we’re passionate about our mission to provide a kind and caring premiere workforce. Our team-based approach to comprehensive patient care creates a challenging and rewarding work environment where you have a direct role in helping members of our community receive quality medical services they can afford. And that’s something you can feel good about.

As a member of our growing team, you will feel at home in a fun and diverse community of healthcare professionals. Our goal is simple: improving access to healthcare in our community and surrounding areas. Together, we are all committed to building healthier communities by delivering comprehensive, quality health care with compassion and respect.

As a Dental Hygienist, you will provide professional dental hygiene care for clinic patients following established standards, practices, and protocols. Maintain patient confidentiality and ensures compliance with HIPAA policies and procedures.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Screens and assesses patients:

• Evaluates the medical/dental history of patients.
• Performs visual oral cancer screening.
• Takes blood pressure and pulse.
• Maintains and reviews patients’ records, charts, and other pertinent information.
• Provides preventative oral health services:

• Removes calculus, plaque, and stain from all surfaces of the teeth.
• Evaluates and assesses the periodontal needs of patients on a case-by-case basis.
• Charts conditions of decay and disease for diagnosis and treatment by dentist.
• Applies fluorides and other cavity preventing agents to prevent or arrest dental decay.
• Takes dental radiographs.
• Provides patient education:

• Teaches patients appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health and prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
• Counsels patients about good nutrition and its impact on oral health.
• Recommends community resources to meet patient and family needs.

• Provides monitoring and continuity of care between clinic visits as required.
• Works closely with Chief Dental Officer to ensure individual provider productivity goals are reached.
• Assists in the sterilization and sharpening of instruments as assigned following infection control guidelines.
• Remains current in advanced practice changes within area, and where relevant, translates these findings into clinical practice.
• Actively participates in patient complaint procedures to resolve operational problems.
• Attends and participates in meetings and in-services as required. Participates in professional development activities. Serves on committees as requested.
• Performs duties in accordance with NHC Standards of Conduct and Mission Statement.
• Performs related work as required and other duties (similar physical requirements and OSHA risk level) as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS / ABILITIES:

• Clinical—demonstrates a working knowledge of dental practices and is proficient in the dental hygiene process; maintains knowledge of, and acts in accordance with, current NHC policies and procedures.
• Problem Solving – identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; reacts calmly and effectively in emergency situations.
• Interpersonal skills—builds relationships with patients and colleagues; realizes the importance of, and practices, good customer service; remains open to others’ ideas and exhibits willingness to try new things; maintains friendly and supportive relationships with coworkers; talks through problems to keep channels of communication open and maintain a high level of trust; maintains confidentiality; and able to communicate effectively and build collaborative, supportive relationships with people of varying cultures, socioeconomic backgrounds, languages, and educational levels.
• Oral communication—speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations for interactions with patients of all ages and backgrounds.
• Written communication—edits work for spelling and grammar, presents numerical data effectively and is able to read and interpret written information.
• Planning/organizing—prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently.
• Quality control – understands the importance of compliance standards; pays close attention to accuracy and detail when performing duties.
• Adaptability – adapts to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands and is able to deal with frequent changes, delays, or unexpected events.
• Dependability – consistently at work on time; follows instructions, responds to management direction and solicits feedback to improve performance.
• Safety and security – actively promotes and personally observes safety and security procedures; uses equipment and materials properly.
• Information Technology/Dental Equipment – proficient in the use of computers and other dental equipment/instruments to administer patient care and accurately retrieve/record patient data.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education / Training - Degree from an accredited dental hygiene program.

Experience: Experience in a clinic setting preferred.

Licensure/Certification: Possession of an Indiana State Dental Hygiene License. CPR Certified.

Physical Requirements:

Prolonged standing and walking, some stooping, bending, and stretching. Requires full range of body motion, manual dexterity, and eye-hand coordination sufficient to handle and assist patients. Requires ability to lift and carry items weighing up to 35 lbs. Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range to record, prepare, and communicate appropriate reports. Requires ability to work under stressful conditions. Requires exposure to communicable diseases and bodily fluids.

Work Environment:

Normal dental office environment. Work may include irregular hours, including evenings and weekends. Involves frequent contact with other staff, doctor’s offices, patients, and the public. Contact may involve dealing with sick, angry, or upset people. Frequent exposure to communicable diseases, toxic substances, medicinal preparations, and other conditions common to a clinic environment. OSHA Category I - Tasks involve contact with blood or body substances.

Neighborhood Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Neighborhood Health does not exclude people or treat them differently for any aspect of the organization because of race, color, national origin, age, disability (physical or mental), or sex (including sexual orientation).

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Human Resources at hrdept@nhci.org