Registered Dental Hygienist - RDH

Multco; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 141,810,000 - 174,389,000; Full time

Job summary

Multnomah County Health Department is seeking a Registered Dental Hygienist to provide direct dental hygiene services and lead preventive oral health programs. The position supports integrated clinical services, including disease prevention and health equity initiatives within a diverse community.

The role involves clinical hygiene procedures, anesthesia, radiographs, and patient education, with emphasis on infection control and workflow improvement.

Qualifications

• Registered Dental Hygienist with license to practice dentistry.
• Proficient in preventive care and patient education.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical dental hygiene services including prophylaxis, debridement, scaling and root planing.
• Administer topical and local anesthetic and take dental radiographs.
• Educate patients on preventive dental actions and demonstrate proper brushing techniques.
• Address dental anxiety and manage emergencies in clinic.
• Coordinate with the Dental Scheduler and supervise students as applicable.

Skills

Dental hygiene

Patient education

Infection control

Education

Registered Dental Hygienist

RDH license

Tools

Dental radiographs

Job description

Pay Range: $49.49 - $60.86 Hourly

Department: Health Department

Job Type: Regular Represented

Exemption Status: United States of America (Non-Exempt)

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):

The Opportunity:

THIS WORK MATTERS!

We seek leaders, achievers and doers who bring skill and passion to a challenging and evolving environment. At the Multnomah County Health Department we are all inspired by the mission: We work with communities to advance health equity, protect the most vulnerable, and prompt health and wellness for everyone and we uphold the values: Compassion and Care, Empowerment, Racial Equity, Creativity and Integrity. We create a culture of respect, trust and understanding for the highly diverse population we serve in our communities. We're seeking a dynamic and dedicated team member who is creative in problem-solving and contributes new ideas and solutions to the organization to join our team in Integrated Clinical Services

An Integrated Clinical Services (ICS) Dental Hygienist provides direct periodontal and dental hygiene treatment and education in oral health maintenance and disease prevention to dental clinic patients and the community. The dental hygienist is an integral member of the dental program and participates in many aspects of clinical operations, including disease control, prevention, sterilization, as well as infection control, scheduling, evaluating and improving workflows, among other duties. Creates a work culture of respect, trust and understanding for the highly diverse populations the Health Department serves in the office and in the community. Every employee shares the responsibility for promptly bringing to the County's attention conduct that interferes with providing a work environment free of illegal discrimination and harassment.

As the Registered Dental Hygienist, other duties will include:

• Provide direct dental hygiene clinical treatment and education in oral health maintenance and prevention to dental clinic patients or the community.
• Develop and implement an individual preventive oral health program for clinic patients and other interested individuals and organizations.
• Provide clinical dental hygiene services as listed below.

SCREENING & EVALUATION:

The Selection Process: For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page. We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows:

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• Resume and Cover Letter Review
• Phone screen
• Consideration of top candidates
• Language assessment
• Background, reference

Registered Dental Hygienist other duties will include:

Clinical Functions

• Provide clinical dental hygiene services, including prophylaxis, debridement, scaling and root planning, complete periodontal charting and periodontal treatment, as well as administer topical and local anesthetic, expose and mount dental radiographs, place dental sealants, apply fluoride varnish, evaluate and record blood pressure, review and sign paper medical history and proper chart documentation.
• Address dental anxiety according to patients' needs including but not limited to the administration of nitrous oxide when appropriate.
• Educate patients on preventive dental actions that improve dental and overall health of patient, to include practical and physical demonstration of best brushing and cleaning methods, new techniques or products that help for better cleaning and maintenance of teeth and mouth health, and provide written materials as an avenue to reinforce best oral health techniques.
• Demonstrate and teach oral hygiene methods and develop individual prevention plan for each client that considers the patient's physical, mental and emotional skills and/or limitations.
• Prescribe fluoride and antimicrobial solutions.
• Provide triage for emergencies to improve patient flow and respond to emergency situations of patients in clinic or presenting for services.
• Consult with dentists for patient care and complex medical history or in-person needs. Consult for referrals for specialized care or services beyond those provided in clinics or at another County location.
• Coordinate with Dental Scheduler on needed treatment and scheduling of appointment(s), etc. Dental hygienists may provide guidance to dental/hygiene students.

Infection Control/Safety Oversee, maintain, and support strict asepsis controls to prevent transmission of communicable diseases before/during