Dentist Hygienist

Job Responsibilities

• Brings patient back for dental appointment in a timely manner.
• Enter/updates patient health history and medication at each appointment to ensure all information is current.
• Completes patient intake at each appointment ensuring all information is gathered and entered correctly.
• Does a complete oral cancer screening at each hygiene appointment.
• Examines gums using a perio probe to document recessed gums, bleeding and pocket measurements on all patient 13 years and above annually.
• Ensures all patients are current on their periodic exams and x-rays.
• Processes and develops clear diagnostic radiographs.
• Provides oral health education to all patients.
• Charts existing restorations on all new patients and updates watches, treatment and dental charting at each visit to include the correct provider.
• Performs a thorough cleaning to include removing build-up, calculus and stain from teeth and beneath margins of gums.
• Informs dentist of notable items/events/changes to patient’s oral health, medication list, medical history changes, etc.
• Ensures sealants are completed on first and second molars on children and when able applies sealants during their hygiene appointment before applying fluoride.
• Accurately documents and creates treatment plans and goes over treatment and cost with the patient or parent/guardian.
• Ensures the correct ICD 10 codes are entered into the dental superbill before walking the patient to the front desk.
• Has the follow up information noted in Expanse for the front desk to ensure the correct appointment is schedule for the next visit.
• Accurately adds ICD 10 codes into Open Dental to ensure it matches the dental superbill.
• Accurately creates and documents all information pertaining to the appointment in Open Dental with few corrections.
• All dental notes are completed in Open Dental before leaving each day to allow the provider to review and sign in a timely manner.
• Maintains high level of infection control through appropriate use of infection control barriers, appropriate clothing, avoiding cross contamination of sterile/disinfected with non -sterile/non disinfected, and follows OCHC policies on sterilization and disinfection.
• Ensures set up (to include appropriate instruments, air/water syringe, low/high speed suction, infection control barriers, etc) for patient visit is complete before seating patient.
• Maintains a full component of supplies in operatories at all times
• At all times safely and efficiently operates equipment and other processing devices including but not limited to radiographic equipment (IE Nomad/Pano/ScanX/Phosphor plates/Etc), Autoclave, Statim, Ultrasonic, curing lights, suction devices, hand pieces, vacuum, operatory units-air/water/power. And notifies provider or administrative lead of any issues promptly.
• Assists in dental screenings internal/external for special events/visits.
• Works well with other dental staff members as a team, watches all chairs at all time to jump in and helping turn over rooms, setup rooms, as well as pulling back patients, getting the intake completed and/or xrays to help out other staff.
• Wears radiation badge at all times and monthly updates badge using Instadose reading on the Ipad.
• Accurately documents and creates all referrals per Provider instruction ensuring their insurance is accepted and all x-rays are taken that are required and current.
• Ensure all clearance letters, pre-medication or any other documentation needed are in patients chart and documented appropriately in Open Dental before appointments.
• Ensure all follow up calls to patients, other clinics or medical providers are completed in a timely manner and documented.
• Assists with anesthetics or any other duties requested by the dental provider in a timely manner.
• Willingly travels to other dental locations in the area to fill in, assist or attend meetings.
• When downtime helps others out or finds work to stay busy.
• Attends and actively participates in Provider Meeting.
• Obtains signatures on dental consents for S&RP (per quad) or refusal for S&RP.