Dental Hygienist needed in our dental office

Permanent Dental Hygienist Job

Cypress, CA

Job Description

• The RDH is in a special position to provide our patients the most important health service: ongoing preventive oral care by cleaning, scaling and polishing teeth to prevent gum disease, screening for potential caries lesion, oral abnormalities/cancers and mal-occlusion, educating patients on proper and effective home care.
  
  Essential Duties:
  
  
  • Records treatment information on the patient's chart, including treatment rendered, the type of treatment planned and the amount of chair time, doctor time and assistant time needed for next appointment.
  • Takes radiographs (panoramic, PA, BW) and intra-oral photos as needed or directed by the dentist.
  • Records evaluation of periodontal conditions/depths, potential caries lesion, occlusal relation, presence of mal-occlusion and extent of prophylaxis on dental chart to ensure a complete diagnosis and proper treatment plan by the dentist.
  • Provides customer service support to patients by escorting them to and from the treatment room.
  • Applies non‑aerosol and non‑caustic topical agents and pit and fissure sealants.
  • Removes excess cement from supragingival surfaces of teeth.
  • Assists doctor during clinical exam and record findings and recommendations.
  • Maintains cleanliness of the treatment rooms, sterilization room, lab, patient and staff restrooms, and staff lounge area.
  • Performs oral cancer exam on all patients.
  • Scales, polishes, and applies fluoride to patient’s teeth.
  • Prepares all treatment rooms including, but not limited to, set-up, decontamination, sterilizing and sharpening all instruments, cleaning hand pieces and room, restocking supplies.
  • Places and removes post‑extraction and periodontal dressings or sutures.
  • Inspects patient’s oral cavity and charts lesions, existing restorations and missing teeth.
  • Evaluates gingival health and health of all oral tissue.
  • Executes root planing and Myofunctional evaluations.
  • Educates patients on the importance of preventative care, the disease process and the role of bacteria; provides appropriate educational literature and instruction on home care.
  • Polishes restorations and appliances (partials, dentures, etc.).
  • Administers temporary cementation and removal of temporary crowns.
  • Schedules patient’s next treatment appointment, or communicates with appropriate staff to ensure this is done before patient leaves the practice.
  • Implements and monitors recall system; contacts patients who are overdue for a recall.
  • Helps fill the patient schedule when there are openings to keep production levels high each day.
  • Facilitates all periodontal instrumentation packaging for proper sterilization.
  • Administers proper anesthetics before each root scaling and planing procedure or as directed by the dentist.
• Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
  
  
  • Skilled in the use of standard dental office equipment including: Autoclave, X-ray machine - Pano, Panoramic X-ray, ultrasonic, Oxygen and Nitrous Oxide, Laser, Intra-Oral camera, and hand pieces.
  • Ability to maintain composure and professionalism when exposed to stressful situations or difficult patients.
  • Skilled in the use of an ultrasonic device/scalers
  • Ability to perform scaling and root planing, take radiographs/intra-oral photos, and administer local anesthetic and Nitrous Oxide.
  • Knowledge of OSHA regulations and changes.
  • Knowledge of English composition, grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
  • Knowledge of patient's dental insurance and benefits so one can apply proper coding and apply appropriate treatment.
  • Skilled in the use of standard office equipment including: telephones, calculators, copiers, fax, computers, and computer software (MS Excel, Word, Practice Management software).
  • Ability to engender trust from the doctors, co-workers, and patients.
  • Ability to work cooperatively with management, staff, and patients.
  • Ability to prioritize, organize, and complete tasks in a timely and independent manner.
  • Ability to understand and follow written and verbal instructions and accept constructive criticism.
  • Ability to collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and maintain confidentiality.
  • Ability to communicate and express thoughts and ideas competently.
  • Ability to quickly grasp relevant concepts regarding duties and responsibilities.