Dental Hygienist

HEALTHCARE FOR THE HOMELESS - HOUSTON; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Healthcare for the Homeless - Houston is seeking a licensed dental hygienist to promote oral health through periodontal treatment and education. You will work with the dental team to provide patient care, maintain records, and support quality improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities include preparing operatories, taking radiographs, performing prophylaxis or scaling, applying fluoride, instructing patients, and coordinating care with clinicians. Active BLS/CPR and Texas license are required.

Qualifications

• Active BLS/CPR certification is required.
• Active license to practice dental hygiene with the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners is required.
• Preferred: at least one year of clinical dental hygiene experience.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and disinfect operatories for dental hygiene treatment.
• Take radiographs.
• Provide periodontal treatment (prophylaxis or scaling and root planing).
• Apply fluoride.
• Educate patients on oral hygiene.
• Maintain electronic dental records and charting.
• Coordinate patient care with the dental team.
• Manage dental and medical emergencies.
• Perform sterilization, recare and clerical duties during hygiene downtime.
• Maintain dental hygiene supplies and equipment.

Skills

BLS/CPR

Dental hygiene

Communication

Education

Dental Hygiene License (Texas)

Job description

Overview

The dental hygienist is responsible for promoting dental health by providing periodontal treatment and education. Other responsibilities include coordination with the dental team for patient care, quality improvement, maintaining dental records, policies and procedures, equipment maintenance, recare, periodontal maintenance, and special projects. Reports to the Dental Director.

Duties and Responsibilities

Patient Care Functions

• Prepares and disinfects operatories for dental hygiene treatment
• Take radiographs
• Examine and provide periodontal treatment through prophylaxis or scaling and root planning
• Apply fluoride
• Educate and provide oral hygiene instructions
• Maintain electronic dental records through documentation and charting
• Manage dental and medical emergencies
• Coordinate patient care with the dental team
• Perform assisting, sterilization, recare and clerical duties during hygiene down times
• Maintain dental hygiene supplies, instruments, and equipment
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned

Quality Improvement/Administrative Functions

• Provides orientation for all new dental hygiene volunteers and students
• Assures that dental hygiene students and volunteers comply with policies and procedures
• Assures that dental hygiene students and volunteers accurately document clinical services
• Tracks patient encounter data necessary for reporting outcome measures to granting agencies
• Collaborate with the Dental Director in developing, implementing, and monitoring practice’s quality improvement plan and policies and procedures where needed for dental hygiene

Minimum Qualifications

• Active BLS/CPR certification
• Active license to practice dental hygiene by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners

Preferred Qualifications

At least one year of clinical experience in dental hygiene