Dental Hygienist

Job Purpose and Reporting Structure:

The Dental Hygienist is responsible for providing dental hygiene services to low-income, uninsured clinic patients.  The Dental Hygienist works in conjunction with clinic staff and volunteer dentists to improve or maintain periodontal health and provide patient education.

 Essential Duties:

1. Create a friendly, comfortable setting in which the patient can feel supported and cared for.
2. Conform to local, state, regional, and national regulatory agency policies.
3. Prior to treatment, take and record medical and dental histories, vital signs, and other information that may affect treatment.
4. Provide soft tissue examination: palpates and visually examines intra-oral/extra-oral tissues for irregularities and signs of disease.
5. Document conditions of dental decay and disease for diagnosis and treatment by dentist.
6. Assess the oral health of patients through medical and dental histories, radiographs, indices, risk assessments, and intra-oral and extra-oral procedures, and describe the oral health needs of patients.
7. Develop and implement a dental hygiene care plan.
8. Work with Executive Director and Clinic Manager to develop and implement a continuous quality improvement plan.
9. Perform dental hygiene procedures which may include periodontal debridement (scaling, root planing, curettage, and polishing).
10. Educate patients on healthy life choices and oral hygiene practices for at-home care.
11. Re-evaluation of oral and periodontal health following the implementation of the care plan to identify the subsequent treatment, continued care, and referral needs of the patient.
12. Maintain the operatory.
13. As authorized by a Wisconsin licensed dentist:
    • Administer local anesthetic agents if licensed to do so.
    • Place pit and fissure sealants.
    • Expose and develop radiographs.
    • Remove sutures and change dressings
14. Maintain asepsis during all procedures.
15. Document services rendered and related information following each appointment.
16. Work offsite as needed.
17. Ensure teamwork of staff and volunteers that is mission focused.
18. Assist the Executive Director with reporting and quality improvement efforts as required by funders.
19. Perform other duties as assigned. The above list is not an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements.

 Qualifications:   

• Active Wisconsin Dental Hygienist licenses required
• Two years of experience as a Dental Hygienist
• Maintain professional liability malpractice insurance for scope of licenses.
• Current BLS Certification for Healthcare providers or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire
• Must have valid Wisconsin driver’s license and proof of automobile insurance coverage
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred

 Additional information:

Starting salary of $35.00 – $40.00/hour. Opportunity to join a caring and committed team of professionals.