Job Description

General Description:

Under general supervision of a qualified Dentist, assesses patient needs and plans and delivers direct dental care and associated services to patients. Utilizes established dental hygiene protocol and procedures.

Reports to: Dental Director

Supervises: N/A

Salary/Status: Non-Exempt

Minimum Requirements :

1. Bachelor’s Degree; minimum of one (1) year of directly related experience.
2. Current licensure as a Dental Hygienist in the State of Massachusetts.
3. Experienced with or having a strong interest in addressing the health care needs of low income, special needs or disadvantaged populations.

Principle Responsibilities and Duties:

1. Assesses dental condition and needs of patient; uses patient screening procedures, to include medical history review, dental charting, and perio charting; takes patient vital signs as required.
2. Delivers direct patient care to patients as assigned, using established dental hygienist procedures; performs routine treatment procedures, such as prophylaxis, scaling and root planning, polishing, x-rays, application of sealants and fluorides, and related procedures.
3. Develops and implements individualized dental care plans for patients; performs patient education, discharge planning, and patient/family teaching under the supervision of a qualified dentist.
4. Provides chair-side assistance to dentist in the performance of special tests, procedures, and complex treatments.
5. Makes impressions of patients’ teeth for study casts.
6. Documents dental history or chief complaint; records and reports pertinent observations and patient reactions to dental staff, as appropriate; documents lab procedures and ensures follow up on results.
7. Assists with or institutes emergency measures for sudden adverse development during treatment of patients.
8. Performs patient triage and initiates patient care as appropriate for walk-in patients.
9. Assists in preparation of patient care areas, and in the patient admission, transfer, and discharge process, as required; prepares reports and assists as required with patient reception, telephone calls, routine triage, and other office duties.
10. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

11. Making sure prior approvals are being sent to Mass Health as needed.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:

1. Ability to analyze medical records and prescribed protocol to formulate effective treatment plans.
2. Knowledge of Federal and State regulations and guidelines for the provision of dental outpatient services.
3. Ability to communicate technical information to non-technical personnel.
4. Ability to independently assess the nature and extent of dental, periodontic, and associated conditions and pathology in dental outpatients.
5. Ability to perform a full range of established dental hygienist protocol and procedures.
6. Knowledge of patient screening, charting, and medical history procedures and documentation.
7. Knowledge and understanding of dental surgery and associated procedures, terminology, and techniques.
8. Ability to set up and prepare dental equipment and instrumentation in accordance with established regulations and guidelines.
9. Ability to independently perform emergency dental procedures.
10. Knowledge of patient admission, triage, transfer, and discharge procedures and documentation.

Working Conditions:

1. This position may require the ability to work long and arduous hours.
2. Moderate physical activity. Requires handling of average-weight object up to 25 pounds or standing and/or walking for more than four (4) hours per day.
3. Work environment involves exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations that require following extensive safety precautions and may include the use of protective equipment.
4. Will work with blood or blood-borne pathogens.
5. This position requires the ability to use a computer workstation, viewing a CRT.

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