Dental Hygienist / PEP

PEP

Position Summary:

The prosthodontic exam performer works (PEP) under a dentist’s supervision to perform prosthodontic exams to be used for implant treatment planning. Additionally, the PEP works closely with the Patient Education Consultants to ensure that world-class patient care is delivered. Some other responsibilities may include sophisticated functions such as removing sutures, processing x-rays and taking the oral impressions that are used to fit crowns. Previous hygienist experience is desired.

Responsibilities:
• Support and assist PEC’s in patient treatment acceptance
• Work collaboratively with all doctors and clinical staff to ensure patient adherence to treatment plan, including all appropriate medical clearances, interventions, and treatment goals including self-management goals.
• Perform a variety of patient care, office, and laboratory duties, including but not limited to providing chair-side assistance while dentists examine and treat patients
• Prepare materials for impressions and restorations, take dental x rays, and process x-ray film as directed by a dentist.
• Support and assist the dental and surgical assistants as needed, including but not limited to cleaning trays, room setups and cleanups.
• Ensure patients are as comfortable as possible in the dental chair, prepare them for treatment, and obtain their dental records.
• Review Prosth Evaluation paperwork, consents, and medical history with the patient.
• Complete needs assessment of high risk patients.
• Manage medical clearances and/or follow up on patients who may have delayed treatment
• Review, coordinate, and collaborate with front office, Prosthodontist, and Oral Surgeon about patients health, needs, lab script, and treatment plan finalization
• Review and clarify medication with patients, along with clarifying medication intake with patient’s medical doctors and any other health history concerns
• Communicate appropriately to patients and families regarding treatment
• Participate, as needed, in the marketing efforts for your Center to increase patient lead generation
• Obtain dental records including, not limited to: impressions, x-rays, intra and extra oral pictures, Bite registration and face bow as instructed by the Dentist
• Obtain medical records and health registration (conditions, medications, allergies, etc.)
• Educate patients on treatment plans, phases, consent forms, pre op and post op instructions.
• Correspond with other Doctors and physicians to obtain patient medical clearances as needed.
• Assist with other patient appointments as instructed by Dentist
• Other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions:
• Dental assistants work in a well-lighted, clean environment.
• Work area is usually near the dental chair to allow for arranging instruments, materials, and medication and handing them to the dentist when needed.
• Dental assistants must wear gloves, masks, eyewear, and protective clothing to protect themselves and their patients from infectious diseases.
• Follow safety procedures to minimize the risks associated with the use of x-ray machines.

Experience
• Dental hygiene experience
• Dental implant experience, desired
• Must be reliable, work well with others in a fast paced environment, and have good manual dexterity.
• Must have current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Physical Requirements:
• Regularly required to work in an office environment at both his/her own and others’ desks/offices
• Required daily to walk the floor, sometimes for extended periods and be able to help wherever needed
• Able to regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
• Able to stand for extended periods of time
• Able to keep hand and arm steady while moving arm or while holding arm and hand in one position
• Able to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate or assemble very small objects
• Able to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine to exact positions
• Able to bend, stretch, twist and/or reach with your body, arms and/or legs
• Must possess good multi-limb coordination – i.e. the ability to coordinate two or more limbs while sitting or standing
• Must possess good trunk strength – i.e. the ability to use abdominal or lower back muscles to support part of the body continuously or repeatedly over time without “giving out” or fatiguing
• Able to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information
• Good manual dexterity required to enable safe, skillful use of instruments while working in the mouth