Multisite Community Dental Hygienist

SACRAMENTO NATIVE AMERICAN HEALTH CENTER INC; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 97,000 - 131,000; Full time

Job summary

Sacramento Native American Health Center, Inc. is seeking a Registered Dental Hygienist to support the dentist and deliver preventive services at the Sacramento location.

The RDH will perform clinical duties, patient education, charting, and infection-control practices to ensure high-quality care. The position is a temporary 9-month assignment with potential for permanency and requires California RDH licensure, CPR, and experience in a community clinic.

Qualifications

• Current California Registered Dental Hygienist License is required.
• At least 2 years of experience in a community clinic setting.
• Ability to chart visits comprehensively and complete E&M coding in compliance with dental coding standards.
• Must possess dental x-ray and coronal polish license.
• Knowledge of preventative dentistry for plaque control instruction.
• Ability to work well under pressure, reach sound conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.
• Computer experience, preferably with Windows, including Microsoft Office Suite applications.
• Must have current CPR certification.

Responsibilities

• Takes blood pressure and records in patient chart.
• Assists in ensuring patient comfort and alleviating patient fears.
• Prepares operatory for patient reception and adheres to Cal/OSHA infection control standards.
• Obtains materials and other necessary diagnostic and treatment items for planned procedure.
• Prepares pre-set trays for anticipated procedure and ensures the work area is organized.
• Autoclaves all instruments for next day.
• Prepares treatment room for patient by adhering to prescribed procedures and protocols.
• Prepares patient for dental hygiene treatment by welcoming, soothing, seating, and draping patient.
• Maintains instrumentation for dental hygiene treatment by sharpening, sterilizing, and selecting instruments.
• Selects materials and equipment for dental hygiene visit by evaluating patient's oral health.
• Completes dental prophylaxis by cleaning deposits and stains from teeth and from beneath gum margins.
• Detects disease by completing oral cancer screening; feeling and visually examining gums; using probes to locate periodontal disease and to assess levels of recession; exposing and developing radiographic studies.
• Arrests dental decay by applying fluorides and other cavity-preventing agents.
• Maintains patient appearance and ability to masticate by fabricating temporary restorations, cleaning and polishing removable appliances, placing and polishing sealants and removing cement from crowns and bridges.
• Helps dentist manage dental and medical emergencies by maintaining CPR certification, emergency drugs, oxygen supply, and directory of emergency numbers.
• Educates patients by giving oral hygiene and plaque control instructions and postoperative instructions, providing reminders for next dental hygiene visit.
• Counsels patients on nutrition as related to oral hygiene.
• Ensures operation of dental equipment by completing regular maintenance requirements, following manufacturer's instructions, troubleshooting malfunctions, calling for repairs, maintaining equipment inventories and evaluating new equipment and techniques.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks and participating in professional dental Hygiene societies.
• Prepares patients requiring anesthesia to assist dentists when necessary.
• Retracts oral tissues to increase visual access into the oral cavity.
• Removes excess saliva and watches mouth by using hi-vac systems and/or air.
• Documents dental hygiene services as well as charting in patient records.
• Ensures compliance with HIPAA regulations and patient confidentiality requirements.
• Works towards the integration of appropriate dental hygiene care with other health care professionals involved in the patients’ health care management.
• Receives and places necessary telephone calls consistent with professional matters, clinical business, and patient care as related to the practice.
• Compliance with all state and federal laws and regulations, as they pertain to position including; HIPAA, sexual harassment, Scope of Practice, OSHA etc.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Task prioritization

Communication

Customer service

Job description

Sacramento Native American Health Center, Inc. is seeking a Registered Dental Hygienist to support the dentist and deliver preventive services at the Sacramento location.

The RDH will perform clinical duties, patient education, charting, and infection-control practices to ensure high-quality care. The position is a temporary 9-month assignment with potential for permanency and requires California RDH licensure, CPR, and experience in a community clinic.