Dental Hygienist Practitioner

join our team as a Full-Time Dental Hygienist Practitioner!

This position requires a Public Health Dental Hygiene Practitioner (PHDHP) Certification and the ability to work independently. This position will work at the UPMC Children’s Primary Care – Oakland Office located at 3420 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.

The Dental Hygienist/Public Health Dental Hygiene Practitioner performs prophylactic and therapeutic services and conducts client education for the prevention and control of dental disease without the dentist being present.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Cleans and cares for teeth within the scope of dental standards of care including polishing, scaling and root planing.
• Provides oral health education.
• May perform other approved dental care and preventive treatments, such as topical application of fluoride and dental sealants.
• Advises patients on proper home care and treatment of teeth and gum tissues.
• Takes and develops radiographs.
• Maintains accurate records of services performed; communicates appropriate and accurate information to the health care team.
• Assists the dentist in the organization and implementation of clinic procedures and systems
• Performs supply inventories.
• Responsible for the proper cleaning, packing and storage of supplies and instruments.
• Is accountable and adaptable to all Clinic safety procedures, continuing education requirements, operational procedures, corporate compliance requirements, occupational exposure policies, disaster plan, infection control policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrates understanding of age specific needs of the dental client population.
• The Public Health Dental Hygiene Practitioner performs all services of a dental hygienist without the authorization, assignment or examination by a dentist.
• The Public Health Dental Hygiene Practitioner maintains a dental record, for 5 years from date of last treatment entry, which accurately, legibly and completely reflects the dental hygiene services provided to the patient including the following:(a) name and address of patient and, if the patient is a minor, the name of the patient's parents or legal guardian.(b) the date dental hygiene services are provided.(c) a description of the treatment or services rendered at each visit.(d) the date and type of radiographs taken, if any, and documentation demonstrating the necessity or justification for taking radiographs, as well as the radiographs themselves.(e) documentation of the annual referral to a dentist.

• Possess a degree from an accredited Dental Hygienist Program.
• Must have a Pennsylvania State Board of Examiners License.
• Must have received additional education and obtained a license as a Public Health Dental Hygiene Practitioner.
• Must have knowledge of dental equipment.
• Must have knowledge of dental terminology.
  
  Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:
• CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire
• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Dental Hygienist
• Public Health DH Practitioner
• Clearances with renewal:
  • Act 31, 33, 34, & 73

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran