Dental Hygienist

Overview The Dental Hygienist promotes dental health by completing dental prophylaxis, providing oral cancer screening and radiographic studies; charting conditions of decay and disease; performing procedures in compliance with the dental practice act.

Qualifications

Graduate of an accredited Dental Hygienist program. Currently licensed as a Dental Hygienist in the state of Georgia. At least 2 years clinical experience. Current CPR certification. (BCLS) by AHA Proper use of Dental Technology, Dental Health Maintenance, Infection Control. Excellent communication, organizational and customer service skills.

Responsibilities

Prepare treatment room for patient by adhering to prescribed procedures and protocols. Prepare patient for dental hygiene treatment by welcoming, soothing, seating, and draping patient. Provide information to patients and employees by answering questions and requests. Maintain instruments for dental hygiene treatment by sharpening, sterilizing, and selection instruments. Select materials and equipment for dental hygiene visit by evaluating patient’s oral health. Complete dental prophylaxis by cleaning deposits and stains from teeth and from gum margins. Detect disease by completing oral cancer screening; feeling and visually examining gums; using probes to locate periodontal disease and to assess levels of recession; exposing and developing radiographic studies. Arrest dental decay by applying fluorides and other cavity-preventing agents. Maintain patient appearance and ability to masticate by fabricating temporary restorations; cleaning and polishing removable appliances; placing, carving and finishing amalgam restorations; removing cement from crowns and bridges. Perform periodontal probing and charting, scaling and root paining, and full mouth debridements. Help dentist manage dental and medical emergencies by maintaining CPR certification, emergency drugs and oxygen supply, and directory of emergency numbers. Educate patients by giving oral hygiene and plaque control instructions and post operative instructions; providing reminders of time of next dental hygienist visit. Document dental hygiene services by recording vital signs and medical and dental histories; charting in EMR. Maintain strict patient confidentiality by adhering to all HIPAA rules and regulations. Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; completing professional CEUs; establishing personal networks.