Dental Hygienist - Cherokee, IA - Professional environment

POSITION SUMMARY:  As a Registered Dental Hygienist, you will be responsible to provide direct services for the school-based sealant program targeting underserved populations, provide dental health education and complete oral health screenings for children across daycares, preschools, and outreach clinics to Iowans to reduce the burden of oral disease. Works with the I-Smile coordinator to promote and educate communities on the topics of oral health and oral hygiene and how it relates to overall health. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• Required: Graduate of an accredited Dental Hygiene program 

License:

• Required: CPR Certification

• Required: Current Registered Dental Hygienist License

• Required:  Valid Iowa drivers license and liability insurance on vehicle used

Experience:

• Required:  One year experience in direct patient care

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, required. 

• Highly developed problem-solving skills. 

• Ability to adapt to flexible work schedules and frequent interruptions. 

• Ability to prioritize to meet deadlines on daily work and special projects. 

• Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision. Strong project management skills needed. 

• Ability to learn and use various community programs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provides direct preventive services within the scope of practice.

• Develops, maintains, and cultivates relationships with schools and daycares within the service area and local partners

• Participates in school based health center assessments and hygiene services, nutrition counseling, OHI, and fluoride varnish.

• Educates patients as to the condition of their oral health, their option for treatment, and consequences of treating or not treating and provides home care instructions including alternatives for diet.

• Reviews and updates the patient’s history and complete data entry through an electronic management system.

• Orders, stores and maintains office and dental supplies and equipment; sharpens, cleans and sterilizes dental instruments and portable dental sealant equipment; maintains dental equipment; ensures dental supplies are orderly, clean, and well stocked.

• Performa basic office tasks such as filing, calling patients, scheduling appointments and other office duties within the Public Health office.

• Improves dental health equity, promote quality improvement, and policy development.

• Attends required in-services as stated in policies and procedures.

• Works with the public, exhibiting courteous behavior, non-judgmental attitude, being culturally aware and maintaining client confidentiality.