Dental Hygienist

Job Description

Job Summary:

• This class of positions encompasses responsible professional work in the field of preventive dental care.
• There are two levels within this class of positions, and all personnel perform related work.

Assignment Level I:

• Under supervision, performs preventive dental care work of ordinary difficulty and responsibility as follows:

Examples of Typical Tasks:

• Examines, charts, and cleans teeth, removing soft and hard deposits.
• Takes and develops dental x-rays.
• Prepares local anesthesia and assists in oral surgery and extraction.
• Administers preventive treatments, such as topical fluorides and pit and fissure sealants, when necessary.
• Gives instruction on oral hygiene and conducts educational programs.
• Sterilizes instruments and maintains the hygienic condition of equipment and the health care setting.
• May mix amalgams, cements, silicates and other materials.
• Requisitions supplies, keeps records and performs related work, as required

Assignment Level II:

• Under general supervision, in addition to performing the work described under Assignment Level I above, also performs the following

Examples of Typical Tasks:

• Examines and prioritizes patients requiring preventive and remedial dental care; follows up to ensure that treatment is provided.
• Examines cavities, sealants and oral pathology for research purposes; charts/records findings.
• Works with dentists and administrators to provide administrative support for functions related to the screening of patients for oral cancer; counsels and educates patients; collects and records oral cancer data.
• Trains and guides Assignment Level I Dental Hygienists.
• May conduct surveys and community outreach activities to identify and address dental disease trends
• Follows the prescription of a licensed dentist.

Health history assessment:

• Patient screening procedures; such as assessment of oral health conditions, review of the health history, oral cancer screening, head and neck inspection, dental charting and taking blood pressure and pulse.
• Dental hygiene assessment and treatment planning.
• Dental hygiene exam and charting of intra-oral conditions, which include periodontal charting, dental charting and classifying occlusion.
• Takes and uploads dental digital imaging.
• Remove hard and soft deposits (calculus, biofilm/plaque, stain) from tooth surfaces.
• Periodontal scaling and root planning.
• Administration of local anesthesia for pain control.
• Administration of nitrous oxide/ oxygen sedation for anxiety and pain control.
• Apply tooth-decay preventative agents (fluoride, sealants) to the teeth.
• Dental hygiene nutritional and dietary evaluation.
• Placement of subgingival prescription drugs for preventative and treatment of periodontal disease.
• Teaching patients appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health (e.g., toothbrushing, flossing and nutritional counseling).
• Counseling patients about good nutrition and it’s impact on oral health.
• Making impressions of patient’s teeth for study case models of teeth used by dentist to evaluate patient treatment needs).
• May mix amalgam, cement, composite, and other materials.
• Prepares instruments for sterilization, disinfects surface areas, and maintain clinic and clinic equipment in a hygienic condition, in accordance with infection control procedures.
• Assists dentists chairside as needed.

For Appointment to Assignment Level I:

• A valid license to practice as a Registered Dental Hygienist, issued by the New York State Department of Education.

For Appointment to Assignment Level II:

• In addition to meeting the qualification requirement for Assignment Level I described above, must have one year of experience as a Registered Dental Hygienist.

Licenses / Certifications Required:

• A valid license to practice as a Registered Dental Hygienist, issued by the New York State Department of Education.
• Must have one year of experience as a Registered Dental Hygienist.
• Must have a valid New York State Department of Education Certificate to Administer & Monitor Local Infiltration Anesthesia & Nitrous Oxide Analgesia.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and other Requirements:

• Spanish language proficiency preferred.