Dental Hygienist

Summary/Objective

The Dental Hygienist is responsible for the direct provision of oral hygiene and appropriate preventive services to dental patients of NorthShore Health Centers. The Dental Hygienist will also be responsible for providing appropriate oral health information to patients and maintaining accurate dental histories. Following precise OSHA guidelines, the Dental Hygienist will assist with operatory and laboratory upkeep.

Essential Functions

Assists the dentist in performing examinations of teeth and surrounding tissue.

Cleans calcareous deposits, accretions, and stains from teeth and beneath margins of gums.

Feels lymph nodes under patient's chin to detect swelling or tenderness that could indicate presence of oral cancer.

Examines gums to locate periodontal recessed gums and records periodontal probing depths for the diagnosis of gum disease.

Applies fluorides and other cavity preventing agents to arrest dental decay.

Administer Local Anesthesia

Reviews and updates patient medical and dental histories.

Charts conditions of decay and disease for diagnosis and treatment by dentist.

Ensures that dental records are confidentially maintained at all times, according to NorthShore HIPAA policy guidelines.

Confirms patient’s appointments during down time and sends patient appointment reminder post cards.

Exposes and develops x-ray film.

Provides clinical services and health education to improve and maintain oral health of school children.

Conducts dental health clinics for community groups to augment services of dentist.

Educates patients about dental diseases, nutrition and proper dental care.

Adheres to the NorthShore Health Centers dental infection control policies, procedures, and protocols.

Attends meetings and training sessions as required by NorthShore and in accordance with the State of Indiana to maintain dental hygiene licensure.

Executes other verbal or written specific assigned tasks, requiring similar or lesser skills and abilities, some of which are continuing while others are occasional in nature.

Schedule follow-up visit(s) as required, using appropriate scheduling template guidelines.

These essential functions are a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the position, and are not intended to be a comprehensive listing of all duties and responsibilities. The position will include other duties as assigned and duties are subject to change at management's discretion.

Competencies

Planning and strategic foresight

Responsible Decision Making

Integrity and accountability

Innovation and creativity

Adaptive and flexible

Leadership, teamwork, and conflict resolution

Professionalism and work ethic

Empathy

Work Environment

Work is performed in an office environment. Involves frequent personal and telephone contact with patients, physicians, and other healthcare personnel. Work may be stressful at times. Interaction with others is constant and interruptive.

Travel

Travel outside of Northshore locations will be rare for this position.

Role Qualifications

Must be at least 18 years of age

Must have reliable transportation

Dental Hygienist License in the State of Indiana

CPR Certification

Anesthesia Certification

Preferred Experience Requirements

Two years of experience working within a healthcare setting.

Minimum Education Requirements

Associate’s degree in Dental Hygiene

Preferred Education Requirement

Bachelor's degree in Dental Hygiene

Required Skills

Ability to analyze situations and solve problems at strategic and tactical levels

Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills

Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply the appropriate sections of applicable laws, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, and policies

Ability to acquire a thorough understanding of the organization's hierarchy, jobs, qualifications, compensation practices, and the administrative practices related to those factors

Practiced at organization and planning

Employ Critical thinking and problem solving

Maintains composure and operates with emotional intelligence

Ethical reasoning and decision-making

Strong attention to detail

Receptive and responsive to feedback

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Time management, prioritization, and sense of urgency

Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to sit and/or stand for prolonged periods, work longer than eight (8) hour shifts, and to work both day/evening/weekend shifts. Work may include hand dexterity as well as the need to reach, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, talk, and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 lbs. While performing the responsibilities of the job, the employee is required to talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions of the job.