Registered Dental Hygienist

Northside Family Dentistry; Cookeville (TN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Part time

Job summary

A dental practice in Cookeville, Tennessee, is seeking a part-time/full-time Dental Hygienist. The role involves educating and motivating patients, providing preventive dental care, and examining for oral diseases. The ideal candidate will hold an associate's degree from an ADA-accredited school and be licensed to practice in the state. Strong communication skills and the ability to work independently are essential. This position offers opportunities for professional development and a dynamic work environment.

Qualifications

• Must have excellent communication skills for effective patient interaction.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks efficiently in a clinical setting.
• Current state license is mandatory for practice.

Responsibilities

• Motivate and educate patients on oral hygiene.
• Remove deposits from teeth and examine for signs of disease.
• Prepare treatment rooms and schedule follow-up appointments.

Skills

Exceptional hand-eye coordination

Excellent communication skills

Active learning

Detail-oriented

Time-management

Education

Associate's degree from ADA-accredited dental hygienist school

Current state licensure

CPR certification

Job description

Position Title

Position Title: Dental Hygienist.

Status

Status: Non‑exempt, Regular, “At‑will” Work Status, Part‑time/Full‑time.

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements

• Standing 20% of the time.
• Sitting 80% of the time.
• Moderate noise levels from dental and other lab equipment.
• Medical, office, and lab setting.
• Minimum lifting requirements of 35 pounds to transfer equipment and pack/unpack supplies.
• Frequent bending, twisting, and position changes to examine and service patients.
• Exceptional hand‑eye coordination, control, and finger dexterity for use of dental implements and manipulating very small objects.
• Arm‑hand steadiness – the ability to keep hands and arms steady while holding them in one position.
• Near vision – the ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Manual dexterity – the ability to quickly move the hand, arm, or both to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
• Frequent client and inter‑office personnel interaction; chair‑side to dentist and dependent on excellent customer interaction.
• Active learning – understanding the implications of new information for current and future problem‑solving and decision‑making.
• Excellent communication skills – talking to others to convey information effectively.

Position Summary

The Dental Hygienist is the chief preventive provider of the practice. This team member motivates, educates, and provides excellent treatment. Under indirect supervision, the Dental Hygienist removes hard and soft deposits from teeth and examines oral areas, head, and neck for signs of oral disease. He or she educates patients on oral hygiene, provides preventive dental care, takes and develops X‑rays, and applies fluoride or sealants. By discovering and documenting areas of failure, both periodontally and restoratively, the dentist’s diagnosis and treatment recommendations are facilitated.

Essential Functions

• Welcome and seat patients cheerfully.
• Prepare and properly set up treatment rooms for hygiene procedures.
• Review and update patients’ health histories; chart progress, treatments, and home‑care compliance.
• Clean calcific deposits, accretions, and stains from teeth and beneath gum margins using dental instruments, including scaling and root planning for patients with periodontal disease.
• Apply fluorides and other cavity‑preventing agents to arrest dental decay.
• Assess and evaluate patients through exams, records, and medical history to assist in the diagnosis of dental hygiene problems, disease, and efficacy of administered treatment plans. Complete scheduled treatments.
• Recognize early signs of periodontal disease; chart restorations and note areas of concern.
• Develop and present treatment plans.
• Capture x‑rays, process, download, and mount for the doctor to view; capable of interpreting x‑rays independently.
• Perform head, neck, and oral cancer exams.
• Use probes to examine gums to locate periodontal recessed gums and signs of gum disease.
• Communicate findings to patient and doctor.
• Select, mix, and place materials on instruments and in the patient’s mouth, as needed.
• Educate and motivate patients on proper oral hygiene and corrective/preventive measures.
• Work chair side with dentist as needed; assist the doctor in hygiene examination.
• Schedule appropriate re‑care appointments.
• Assist in sterilization duties.
• Maintain hygiene handpieces and instruments in good repair and sufficient supply.
• Adhere to strict safety guidelines and procedures for OSHA and office standards.
• Always represent the practice in a professional, pleasant, and cooperative manner.
• Maintain regular attendance and adhere to assigned work schedules and office policies.
• Handle multiple deadlines and task assignments comfortably and efficiently.
• Work independently and cooperatively in team settings, displaying exceptional time‑management skills in order to set and maintain own and subordinate procedure and task schedules.
• Maintain the highest level of confidentiality to HIPAA standards.
• Maintain the professional demeanor and attitude while working around blood and unpleasant smells.
• Travel by car or plane occasionally for continuing education or seminars.
• Other duties and tasks as assigned periodically.

Success Factors

• Participate in morning meetings and provide information regarding new patients for the day.
• Participate in marketing efforts and patient contact.
• Use downtime constructively.
• Present oneself in a clean, well‑groomed, and professional manner.
• Adhere to office policies.
• Perform light housekeeping around the office.
• Be detail‑oriented to work efficiently in small spaces and maintain patient comfort.
• Be flexible and understand that job duties may change from time to time and that you may be asked to assist in other areas of the office.
• Excel in forward‑thinking to anticipate the needs of the patient.
• Demonstrate active listening by giving full attention to what others are saying, asking questions, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Demonstrate good reading comprehension.
• Problem sensitivity – the ability to tell when something is wrong or likely to go wrong.
• Calm and reassure patients facing uncomfortable or painful procedures.
• Write detailed information legibly and in a condensed form.

Experience and Education

• Associate's degree from ADA‑accredited dental hygienist school.
• Current state licensure.
• CPR certification.
• Preferred one‑year dental experience.
• Certified in anesthesia and/or sedation, if appropriate.