DENTAL HYGIENIST

OpSam Health; National City (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

OpSam Health, a leading community health center, is seeking a Dental Hygienist to provide high-quality dental care and education to patients. This full-time role involves patient assessments, direct care, and collaborating with the dental team to ensure effective operations within the Department. Ideal candidates will be licensed, proactive, and dedicated to community health.

Qualifications

• Requires a current license to practice in California.
• Pursues appropriate CEUs as required.
• Ability to perform dental hygienist protocols.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate patients and implement treatment regimens under supervision.
• Deliver direct patient care and document findings.
• Initiate oral health education and prepare care areas.

Skills

Patient assessment

Dental procedures

Oral health education

Education

Registered dental hygienist (RDH)

Current CPR certification

Job description

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Base pay range

$50.00/hr - $55.00/hr

Job title

Dental Hygienist

Reports to

Archie Bella, MD CEO

Department

Dental Department

Status

Full-time exempt

Opsam Health

is a federally qualified community health center that emerged over forty years ago. The agency serves low-income families and individuals in the County of San Diego in two (2) strategic areas with a high-density population of Filipinos/Asians and other low-income, uninsured individuals: National City (Southern San Diego County) and Mira Mesa (North Central San Diego).

Position Summary

Under the general supervision of a Dentist in a clinical setting and using established dental hygiene protocols and procedures, the Dental Hygienist provides professional, high-quality dental care and education to a broad range of patients within the scope of service consistent with accepted standards of care. This position offers support where needed to ensure smooth, efficient running of the Dental Program. The Dental Hygienist also participates in the ongoing evaluation of Dental Program operations to assure the delivery of high-quality services that support the financial sustainability of the program.

Essential Job Functions

Evaluate patients and implement treatment regimens under the supervision of the Dentist. Provides complete documentation of all findings, treatments and outcomes.

Performance Expectations

• Assesses dental conditions and risk, uses patient screening procedures, including medical history review, dental charting and perio-charting; takes patient vital signs as required.
• Delivers direct patient care to patients as assigned, using established dental hygienist procedures, such as cleaning, polishing, x-rays, application of sealants, fluoride varnishes, and related procedures.
• Develops and implements individualized dental care plans for patients; performs patient education and risk protocols, discharge planning, and patient/family teaching under the supervision of a dentist.
• Initiates oral health education and prevention activities.
• Documents dental history of chief complaint; records and reports pertinent observations and patient reactions to dental staff, as appropriate; documents lab procedures and ensure follow-up on result.
• Assists with or institutes emergency measures for sudden adverse development during treatment of patients.
• Assumes responsibility for the upkeep of the dental operatory and equipment.
• Initiates patient care as appropriate for walk-in patients.
• Participates in Quality Improvement activities as requested by the Dentist/Clinical Director
• Assists in the preparation of patient care areas, and in the patient admission, transfer and discharge process, as required; prepares reports and assists as required with patient reception, telephone calls, routine triage and other office duties.
• When needed, provides chair-side assistance to the dentist in the performance of special tests, procedures and complex treatments.
• Performs routine cleaning and maintenance of dental equipment in assigned operatories and for the assigned equipment. Regularly and thoroughly maintains assigned equipment.
• Uses downtime to clean and restock operatories.
• Performs miscellaneous duties within the Dental Program as assigned.
  
  

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

• Work involves considerable exposure to unusual elements such as extreme temperatures, unpleasant odors and/or loud noises.
• Moderate physical activity. Requires handling average-weight objects up to 15-20 pounds, assisting with patients and standing and/or walking for most of the day.
• Will work with blood or blood-borne pathogens and will require OSHA training.
• Work environment involves exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations that require following extensive safety precautions and may include the use of protective equipment.
  
  

Knowledge, Skill and Technical Qualities

• Ability to analyze medical records and prescribed protocol to formulate effective therapeutic treatment plans.
• Knowledge of Federal, State and institutional regulations and guidelines for the provision of dental outpatient services.
• Ability to independently assess the nature and extent of dental disease and associated conditions and pathology in dental patients.
• Ability to perform a full range of established dental hygienist protocols and procedures.
• Knowledge of patient screening, charting and medical history procedures and documentation.
• Knowledge and understanding of dental surgery and associated procedures, terminology and techniques.
• Ability to set up and prepare dental equipment and instrumentation in accordance with established regulations and guidelines.
• Ability to communicate technical information to non-technical co-workers.
• Knowledge of patient admission, triage, transfer and discharge procedures and documentation.
• Ability to manage the dental office infection control plan to meet OSHA, CDC and ADA standards.
  
  

Behavioral Qualities

• Is a team player; works cooperatively with other Dental Program staff.
• Accepts and offers guidance and supervision as appropriate
• Attends and participates in staff meeting to review team progress in meeting financial and productivity goals for the dental program.
• Places a high value on personal and departmental performance excellence.
• Adheres to office dress code and standards of behavior.
• Maintains patient confidentiality.
• Uses sick time appropriately.
• Responds professionally to high-pressure situations and time limits.
• Works independently with a minimum amount of supervision.
  
  

Education/Licensure Requirements

• Registered dental hygienist (RDH) from an accredited program with a current license to practice in the state of Maine
• Current CPR certification
• Pursues appropriate CEUs as required to maintain licensure and stay abreast of advances in the field of dentistry, especially in areas related to the scope of dental hygiene practice

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Entry level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Health Care Provider

• Industries

  Hospitals and Health Care

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