Dental Hygienist

JOB DESCRIPTION POSITION OF ACCOUNTABILITY: Dental Hygienist Reports To: Doctor regarding clinical policies, Office Manager regarding office policiesStatus: Non-exempt, Regular, At-will Work Status, Full-timeExperience and Education: Associates or Bachelors Degree from an ADA accredited dental hygiene program, current Nebraska Dental Hygiene license. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSExemplify the companys core values:We put others before selfWe build trusting relationshipsWe are proactive and growingWe have passion for our purposeWe are gratefulCritical functions Orchestrate the clinical examProvide patient educationBuild treatment plansFoster patient relationshipsScorecard ItemsProduction Per HourReschedule RateLevel 1Provide a warm welcome to patients, give a tour of the office to a new patient and show them to the operatory.Speak to people, not about them.Presents in a clean, well-groomed, and professional manner.Follow the Accountability Chart to avoid the pitfalls of a bypass.Urgent matters involving direct patient care should be handled immediately and in person. Emails with a relevant subject line are necessary for issues that are not emergent in nature.Demonstrate active listening in order to understand rather than respond; giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting.Demonstrate excellent communication skills by talking to others to convey information effectively.Have the ability to calm and reassure patients facing uncomfortable or painful procedures.Anticipate and be empathetic to the needs of the patient and discuss sedation levels for ease and comfort.Prepare and properly set up treatment rooms for hygiene procedures.Review and update the patient's health history, record vital signs; chart progress, treatments, and home care compliance at every visit.Use proper instrumentation and another team member to examine and record existing restorations and signs of periodontal disease. Communicate and chart findings to the patient and the doctor.Work with the dentist to assess, evaluate, and educate the patient through exam, clinical records, and medical history to assist in diagnosis of dental hygiene conditions and diseases.Partner with the doctor and patient to develop effective treatment plans.Educate and motivate patients on proper oral hygiene and preventative and restorative measures.Remove calculus deposits and stains from teeth supra-and subgingivally, using dental instruments, including scaling and root planing for patients with periodontal disease.Apply fluoride varnish as a preventative measure against decay and sensitivity regardless of age or insurance coverage.Administer anesthetic as needed for hygiene patients.Review the treatment plan and make sure the patient has full understanding regarding their care, post operative instructions, and the expectation of a Care Call.Safely monitor patients during administration of nitrous oxide.Schedule appropriate recall appointments achieving and maintaining a reschedule rate of 85% or more in order to maintain patient retention.Utilize the Recall Frequency setting to maintain an accurate recall date for each patient in order to comply with the practice perio program.Maintain hygiene handpieces, equipment and instruments in good repair and sufficient supply.Participate in the morning huddle and provide information regarding patients for the day.Have the ability to adapt quickly to changing circumstances in the operatory.Seeks training in order to effectively clean and polish removable appliances.Capture intra and extra oral images and correctly labelTake and label diagnostic x-rays free of cone cuts, overlap, elongation, etc.Participate in sterilization duties.Understand how to identify equipment that is not functioning properly and report to the Lead Assistant.Responsible for ensuring that all duties, responsibilities and operations are performed with the utmost regard for the safety and health of all personnel involved, including themselves.Participate in morning huddles and provide clinical as well as personal information about the patients.Attend and participate in weekly team meetings.Attend and participate in department meetings as requested.All other duties as assignedLevel 2Administer anesthetic as needed for hygiene and restorative patients.Partner with the doctor and patient to develop effective treatment plans employing Co-discovery techniques.Participate in recall and reactivation efforts.Use downtime to fill the schedule.Work efficiently in small spaces and maintain patient comfort.Clean and polish removable appliances.Work with the rest of the team to offer same day treatment whenever possible.Take impressions for study casts, occlusal registrations, and whitening trays.Perform routine equipment maintenance.Level 3Provide support to the front office team.Analyze protocols and recommend procedural or policy changes to improve clinical operations. WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTSStanding 20%.Sitting 80%.Moderate noise levels from dental and other lab equipment.Medical, office, and lab setting.Minimum lifting requirements of 35 pounds in order to transfer equipment including packing and unpacking supplies.Frequent bending, twisting, and position changes in order to examine and care for patients.Exceptional hand eye coordination, control, and finger dexterity in order to use dental implements for exams, mixing and/or placing materials on dental tools, products, and intraorally, and grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.Arm-Hand Steadinessthe ability to keep hands and arms steady while moving or holding arm and hand in one position.Near Visionthe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer) as required for mixing and placing materials on tools and intraorally.Manual Dexteritythe ability to quickly move the hand, the hand together with the arm, or two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.Frequent client and interoffice personnel interaction as this position is chair-side to dentist and heavily dependent on excellent customer interaction.Active Learningunderstanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.