Dental Hygienist

Applications must be received by posted end date for consideration of position

Summary:

Applicant must possess a high school diploma and be a graduate of an accredited Registered Dental Hygienist school. One year experience beyond Registered Dental Hygienist school training and have valid California RDH license. Must have current CPR certification that complies with the guidelines set by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross. Certification may be obtained prior to orientation. Provides dental hygiene procedures such as scaling and root planing, prophy, fluoride application, sealants and oral hygiene instruction. Provides dental hygiene services with age-appropriate techniques and considerations. Maintains oral hygiene recall system. Reviews health history and alerts dentist of changes.  Take blood pressure.  Make referrals to the physician as appropriate. Provides individual oral hygiene instruction on an on-going basis with emphasis on specific needs of the patient. Helps to provide an on-going preventive dentistry program through: Group educational presentations including the use of audio-visual aids. Dental screenings. In-service training for CHRs and other departments, as requested. Coordinate dental booths for consortium-wide community programs. Must be able to work with the Indian community, and be sensitive to the Indian Culture and its needs.

Major Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Provides dental hygiene procedures such as scaling and root planing, prophy, fluoride application, sealants and oral hygiene instruction.
• Provides dental hygiene services with age-appropriate techniques and considerations.
• Maintains oral hygiene recall system.
• Reviews health history and alerts dentist of changes.  Take blood pressure.  Make referrals to the physician as appropriate.
• Provides individual oral hygiene instruction on an on-going basis with emphasis on specific needs of the patient.
• Helps to provide an on-going preventive dentistry program through:

1. Group educational presentations including the use of audio-visual aids.

1. Dental screenings.
2. In-service training for CHRs and other departments, as requested.
3. Coordinate dental booths for consortium-wide community programs.

Unless specifically as provided by regulation, the prohibition stated in Section 1066 (a), subsections (1) through (8) of these regulations shall apply to duties performed by a Registered Dental Hygienist.

An RDH may perform the duties assigned to Dental Assistants and Registered Dental Assistants, under the supervision of a licensed dentist as specified in these regulations.

Under general supervision, RDH may perform the following duties in addition to those provided by Section 1760 (b) of the Code:

• Root planning
• Polish and contour restorations
• Oral exfoliative cytology
• Apply pit and fissure sealant

• Preliminary examinations including, but not limited to the following:

1. Periodontal charting
2. Intra and extra-oral examination of soft tissue
3. Charting of lesions, existing restorations, and missing teeth.
4. Classifying occlusion.
5. Myofunctional evaluation

• The following direct supervision duties of Dental Assistants and Registered Dental Assistants:

1. Dental Assistants:

• Taking of impressions for diagnostic and opposing models.
• Application of non-aerosol and non-caustic topical models.
• Removal of post-extraction and periodontal dressing.
• Removal of sutures.
• Taking of intra-oral measurements for orthodontic procedures.
• Checking for loose bands.
• Removal of ligature ties.
• Application of topical fluoride.
• Placement of elastic separators.

1. Registered Dental Assistants:

• Test pulp vitality
• Removal of cement excess from supragingival surfaces of teeth.
• Sizing of stainless steel crowns, temporary crowns and removal of orthodontic bands.
• Placement of post-extraction and periodontal dressing.

• A Registered Dental Hygienist may perform the following procedures under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist when done so pursuant to the order, control and full professional responsibility of the supervising dentist prior to dismissal of the patient from the office of said dentist:

1. All duties as assigned to a Dental Assistant or Registered Dental Assistant.
2. Periodontal soft tissue curettage. (Evidence of satisfactory completion of a Board approved course of instruction in this function must be submitted to the Board prior to any performance thereof.)
3. Administration of local anaesthetic agents, infiltration and conductive, limited to the oral cavity. (Evidence of satisfactory completion of a Board approved course of instruction in this function must be submitted to the Board prior to any performance thereof.)

• This position shall require working on evenings and weekends as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

• PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:

1. Provide prophylactic service as indicated in the patient’s treatment plan.
2. Provide deep scaling and root planning as indicated in the patient’s treatment plan.
3. Refer patients to the dentist when treatment is required. 
4. Supervision of the Oral Hygiene Recall System and monitoring its effectiveness.
5. Assist the dentist by providing the services of a dental assistant when needed. (This occasionally occurs when there is a staff shortage.)
6. Take appropriate x-rays.
7. Provide sealants as indicated in the patient’s treatment plan.
8. Provide an on-going preventive dentistry program to our patient population. 
9. Attend scheduled Dental Department Meetings and In-Service Seminars.

Education:      

High school diploma or equivalent and  be a graduate of an accredited Registered Dental Hygienist school.

Experience:

Must have 1 year experience beyond RDH school training                      

License: 

A valid California RDH license. 

Certification: 

Must have current CPR certification that complies with the guidelines set by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross. Certification may be obtained prior to orientation.

Knowledge of:                      

Use of digital radiographs and electronic dental record keeping. 

Skill:

Regularly demonstrate effective, high quality periodontal treatment, including perio probing, prophies and root planing.  Ability to communicate well and be comfortable treating patients of all ages.  Ability to articulate oral health conditions and effects on overall health.

Ability to:                              

Work with various types of patients from the young to the elderly. 

Must be able to work with the Indian Community and the elderly, and be sensitive to the Indian culture and its needs.  

Physical Demands:    

This job may require prolonged sitting, moderate standing, bending and walking.  May be required to work late hours to accommodate patients’ needs.

Salary Range:

$89,440 ($43.00) - $104,000 ($50.00)

Clinic Location:

San Manuel Indian Health Clinic (11980 Mt. Vernon Ave. Grand Terrance Ca, 92313)