Position Summary

Provide preventive and periodontal dental hygiene care, assess oral health, obtain diagnostic radiographs, educate patients, and perform authorized adjunctive procedures, including fluoride, sealants, local anesthesia, and nitrous oxide as permitted and directed by the Dentist.

Essential Functions

The Dental Hygienist must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities.

• Perform prophylaxis, periodontal scaling, and other preventive or periodontal treatment using appropriate instruments, ultrasonic technology, and laser therapy when indicated.
• Review and document patient medical histories; assess the oral cavity, gingiva, periodontal tissues, head, neck, and lymph nodes for signs of disease or abnormalities.
• Complete periodontal probing and charting, and document conditions of decay or disease for Dentist diagnosis and treatment planning.
• Expose periapical, bitewing, and panoramic radiographs.
• Provide patient oral-health education and apply fluoride, sealants, or other cavity-preventive agents as appropriate.
• Administer local anesthetic agents and nitrous oxide when licensed, authorized, and clinically indicated.
• Perform permitted expanded duties, which may include removing excess cement, sutures, or dressings; placing or removing rubber dams, matrices, or temporary restorations; and taking impressions for whitening trays.
• Maintain instruments, equipment, operatories, and sterilization areas in accordance with clinical and infection-control standards.
• Support patient recall and continuity of care.
• When assigned as the “numbing hygienist,” provide local anesthesia for restorative patients and support operatory turnover, sterilization, and preventive or periodontal care as needed.
• Follow Dental Depot policies and all applicable OSHA and HIPAA requirements.
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance. Travel or temporary assignment to other Dental Depot clinics may be required based on business needs.
• Perform other reasonable administrative, clinical, or maintenance duties as assigned.

Education, Licensure & Requirements

• Associate of Applied Science or Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene from an accredited program.
• Current dental hygiene license and CPR certification.
• Ability to administer nitrous oxide and/or local anesthesia when authorized by the applicable Board of Dentistry.
• Working knowledge of dental software; Eaglesoft experience preferred but not required. Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office products.
• If driving for Company business: valid driver’s license, proof of vehicle insurance, and annual Motor Vehicle Record check.
• Complete the Hepatitis B Vaccination acceptance or declination form within 30 days of employment.

Core Qualifications

Patient-focused, ethical, dependable, organized, and detail-oriented. Communicates effectively, builds positive working relationships, demonstrates empathy and safety awareness, maintains accuracy and accountability, and works effectively in a fast-paced clinical environment.