Position Title: Dental Hygienist                                                                         

Classification:  Nonexempt, Regular, “At Will” Work Status

Reports To:  Dentist, office manager and leadership team

General Objective: Patient Care Advocates, educators and periodontal therapist

Expectations:

• Accurately take and record all records: xrays, photos, itero scan, periodontal charting, diagnodent, velscope
• Well versed in the art of the co-discovery process
  1. Calibrated with doctor regarding what tx doctor will recommend under the given circumstances
  2. Relates tx recommended by doctor back to patient’s goals and concerns
• Advocates for comprehensive care and oral health
• Fun and personable, putting patients at ease
• Leads the back-office team by exemplifying our Core Values and motivating them to do the same
• Communicate concerns, issues and potential solutions to leadership team

 Ideal Candidate:

• Exemplifies our Core Values
• Total team player; helps out wherever needed
• Uses co-discovery with patients to set the dentist up for a successful exam
• Seeks to be busy and productive
• 2+ years dental hygiene experience
• Local anesthesia and laser certified

 Personality Attributes:

• And Then Some attitude
• Fun and personable
• Dedicated to Learning: Always striving to be better
• Positive, can-do attitude

 Cognitive Skills Needed:

• Excellent reading comprehension - Understands written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents
• Proficient with office technology
• Accurately read x-rays and all other diagnostic records
• Accurate and complete in clinical documentation
• Read a ‘cheat sheet’ to quote cost of basic procedures to patients

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements: 

• Sitting 80%
• Standing/walking 20%
• Moderate noise levels from dental and other Lab equipment
• Medical, office, and lab setting
• Frequent patient and interoffice personnel interaction as this position is heavily dependent on excellent patient interaction
• Hearing – Must be able to communicate with patients and others comfortably and clearly
• Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer) as required for clinical duties, business software, and operating office machines

 Primary Duties include, but are not limited to (80% Time Allocation): 

• General
  • Maintain regular attendance and adhere to assigned work schedule
  • Practice situational awareness with patient flow, team members and office
  • Complete beginning and end of day activities and assist other team members when necessary
  • Prepare for morning huddle by completing patient chart audits, including tx needed and dx
• Direct Patient Care
  • Welcome patient to office and provide office and doctor hand-offs
  • Review Health History with patients
  • Take Blood Pressure
  • Discuss smile, health, and sleep issues with patients to alert doctor to any concerns
  • Take X-rays as needed
  • Take patient photos
  • Have pt photo, intra-oral photo, x-ray up on monitor for Dr. ASAP
  • Perform Oral Cancer Screenings
  • iTero/Oral Health Scans – toggles with discussion on findings
  • Complete periodontal charting at every hygiene appointment
  • Complete periodontal therapy as appropriate for each patient
  • Diagnodent as needed
  • Laser as needed
  • Medicaments as needed
  • Provide same day sealants as needed
  • Provide same day fluoride tx:  SDF, Fluoride varnish as needed
  • Ensure all patient questions have been answered and correct procedures are in appointment for the day
  • Handoff to front office staff
• Follow up and documentation
  • Review patient appointment for accuracy and fill out route slip accordingly
  • Maintain FORM information as much as possible in clinical note for future reference
  • Update patient preferences in family file note
  • Make note of DX corresponding to unscheduled TX so Dr. can reinforce need to patient

Secondary Duties include, but are not limited to (20% Time Allocation):

• Daily chart audits 
• Assist in numbing doctor patients when needed
• Perform instrument sterilization and infection control in the office
• Instrument maintenance: sharpening, evaluating cavitron tips
• During downtime, perform activities on project list
• Perform weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual maintenance
  1. Laser calibration
  2. Water lines
  3. Evacuation lines
  4. Deep clean operatory 
• Clean and stock operatories
• Rotate Laundry

Equipment

• Knowledgeable of all dental equipment operations and maintenance needs
• Laser – one hygienist will be appointed laser officer

OSHA and emergency preparedness 

• Ensure that you know how to access MSDS on the computer
• Ensure that you receive OSHA and exposure control training yearly
• Properly dispose of hazardous waste

 Baseline Core Value Success Factors:  

• Core Value #1: And Then Some 
  • Recognizes team members who go above and beyond by giving them a “You’re Awesome” card
  • Always maintains the highest level of confidentiality to HIPAA standards
  • Adheres to strict safety guidelines and procedures to OSHA and office standards
• Core Value #2: Community Involvement
  • Participates in office events and marketing activities
• Core Value #3: Dedicated to Learning; Always Striving to be Better
  • Use dual close for making appointments – this day or this day, am or pm; 90% (re)schedule rate
  • Uses PPD Team Terms – urgent, preventative, cosmetic, decay, etc.
  • Executes proper patient hand-offs and exit strategy
• Core Value #4: Fun and Personable 
  • Always greets patients and staff enthusiastically
  • Demonstrates excellent communication skills - Talks to others professionally to convey information effectively and in a friendly manner
  • Shows patience with patients who don’t understand the complexities of dental treatment
  • Professional personal presentation
• Core Value #5: Proactive/Problem Solver
  • Remains positive in stressful situations
  • Approaches problems with a ‘let’s figure this out’ attitude

Success Core Value Factors for Superior Performance:

• Core Value #1: And Then Some 
  • Know patients by face and name without having to look up profile pictures
  • Is flexible and understands that job duties may change from time to time and does not show frustration when asked to help in other areas
• Core Value #2: Community Involvement
  • Volunteers to help at community events the office is participating in.
  • Contributes to our community outside of the office
• Core Value #3: Dedicated to Learning; Always Striving to be Better
  • Seeks out continuing education opportunities that will further the practice vision
  • Spends downtime learning new office technology or new dental treatment being offered by the doctor
  • Holds team accountable 
• Core Value #4: Fun and Personable
  • Demonstrates active listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times
  • Contributes to the ‘FORM’ at the end of clinical notes and follows up with patients on a personal level visit to visit
• Core Value #5: Proactive/Problem Solver
  • Keeps track of ‘drowning kids’ and seeks out ‘upstream’ solutions
  • Takes initiative to look for solutions before going to leadership for help

Education, Licensing and Certifications:

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in Dental Hygiene
• Licensed Dental Hygienist in State of Arizona is current and in good standing
• Certificate of Local Anesthesia
• Laser certification
• Current CPR/AED certifications
• Must maintain up to date continuing education courses

Hepatitis B series or signed declination