POSITION SUMMARY

With gum disease rampant, the RDH is in a special position to provide our patients the most important health service we can - prevention of disease.  You provide the practice a philosophical backdrop for ongoing care through patient education and reinforcement of the doctor's treatment plan.  You are, as well, a communicator between patient and doctor, and key to the development of good patient relations. You work to calibrate your treatment ideology with that of the doctor’s.

The Hygienist will implement a hygiene program that reflects the importance of timely recalls and optimal treatment of periodontal disease.   This approach to preventive and therapy care is in the patients' — and the practice's — best interest, at a time when periodontal disease is becoming the most troublesome and prevalent oral disorder in our population. 

In addition to Dental Hygienist position requirements

Responsible for operations support, including but not limited to: monitoring dental hygienists’ productivity, monitoring inventory of clinical supplies, preparation of clinical supply orders and communication, support for maintenance of clinical equipment, clinical support staff assignments, monitor clinical support staff and logs for CDC, OSHA, HIPAA, Risk Management, and safety compliance. The lead Dental Hygienist’s role is to train, develop and mentor all other Dental Hygienists.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be able to meet the physical requirements and demands of an active position, including but not limited to: extended durations of standing, walking, stooping, bending and sitting; manual dexterity; good eye-hand coordination; visual abilities (depth perception, ocular focus, close vision, color vision, and peripheral vision), and adequate hearing to perform daily work. 

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Must have a valid hygiene license for this state (RDH)

Must have current CPR card and first aid experience

X-ray certification

Anesthesia certification

Laser certification

OSHA Training

COMPETENCIES

Exceptional human relations and communication skills

Ability to treat patients of all ages

Ability to handle conflict and get along with people

Ability to maintain outgoing, friendly attitude with patients and staff even under pressure

Ability to speak, understand and write fluent and grammatically correct English

Knowledge of organizational filing procedures and systems

Ability to work unsupervised

SKILLS

Facilitation and problem solving skills to develop a hygiene department that performs quality care in a comfortable, non-threatening environment. 

Leadership skills to encourage clinical adeptness, teamwork and communication with patients

Presentation skills to develop preventive attitudes and knowledge in every patient 

Professionalism, discretion, integrity, honesty, and dedication

Responsibilities 

In addition to an understanding of all dental hygienists’ duties and responsibilities,

• Assumes responsibility for direction of the team of RDHs to ensure patient care is always a priority and that patients are seen on time 
• Manages clinical supplies, equipment & medications inventory 
• Assumes responsibility for the training of and maintenance of clinical equipment 
• Maintains compliance with CDC, OSHA, Risk Management, and safety regulations and guidelines and compliance with HIPAA privacy regulations 
• Maintains records and statistical data as assigned
• Assures functional operations that support the delivery of efficient and effective patient care
• Demonstrates effective communication, and managerial skills
• Holds RDH team accountable for all team and individual assigned responsibilities and tasks
• Assumes responsibility for direct reports personnel orientation, training, performance evaluation, and collaborate with management on disciplinary action plans when necessary
• Ensures patient care calls are completed (for SRP and laser therapy treatment) and reported in next day’s huddl

Office Participation

       • Is an active participant in team meetings

• Promotes team concept by interacting with others in the office & NO gossip rule
• Represents office with pleasant demeanor, positive attitude, and personal grooming
• Knows and supports office philosophy and mission
• Promotes the practice with enthusiasm and represents the practice philosophy for patient care and teamwork
• Enlists the help of others and offers help when asked
• Knows and follows all office policies and manuals
• Prepares for and fully participates in morning huddle providing all data regarding unscheduled treatment 
• Participates in team-related / office-related events and activities that encourage practice growth
• Converts prior “prophy” patterns to ideal treatment whenever necessary
• Promotes ideal dentistry by discovering areas of concern and documents and communicates these to the doctor
• Discusses previously diagnosed treatment that remains incomplete with patients and builds value for the doctor’s recommendations for care
• Provides the doctor with patient information using the “hand-off” approach
• Utilizes the intra-oral camera to educate patients on oral health and the need for restorative care
• Performs other tasks assigned by the doctor
• Effectively and clearly communicates with front office team members

Office Participation

• Works as a unit with doctor toward practice growth as it pertains to hygiene department, treatment acceptance, and team morale
• Is a good example to patients and coworkers and maintain high standards and best intentions 
• Good interpersonal skills to maintain effective rapport with patients, doctor and coworkers
• Effective verbal skills to communicate with patients and staff
• Is an active participant in team meetings
• Adheres to practice philosophy for No Gossip rule
• Promotes team concept by interacting with others in the office
• Promotes the practice with enthusiasm and represents the practice philosophy for patient care and teamwork
• Cheerfully and without hesitation assists other departments and performs back up duties as needed and/or requested
• Participates in team-related / office-related events and activities that encourage practice growth