Dental Hygienist

• Position Title: Dental Hygienist
• Location: Charlottesville, VA
• Status: Full-Time

Appointment Lengths: Because the practice wants to ensure the best clinical care for each patient, they provide a generous amount of time per procedure and do not support assisted hygiene:

• Adult recall: 60
• Child recall: 30
• New Patient: 60
• Scaling and Root Planning: 60-90

Technology:

• Cavitrons/Piezo
• Intra-Oral cameras
• Extra-Oral cameras
• Panorex
• New Instruments

Benefits:

• Excellent pay with bonus system
• PTO
• Medical Coverage/Vision/Dental
• 401k + match
• Continuing Education

Responsibilities:

• Prepares patient for dental hygiene treatment by welcoming, soothing, seating, and draping patient
• Completes dental prophylaxis by cleaning deposits and stains from teeth and from beneath gum margins
• Detects 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
• Arrests dental decay by applying fluorides and other cavity- preventing agents
• Helps dentist manage dental and medical emergencies by maintaining CPR certification, emergency drugs and oxygen supply, and directory of emergency numbers
• Educates patients by giving oral hygiene and plaque control instructions and postoperative instructions, providing reminders of time of next dental hygiene visit
• Documents dental hygiene services by recording vital signs and medical and dental histories; charting in patient records
• Ensures operation of dental equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; following manufacturer's instructions; troubleshooting malfunctions; calling for repairs; maintaining equipment inventories; evaluating new equipment and techniques
• Maintains dental supplies inventory by checking stock to determine inventory level; anticipating needed supplies; placing and expediting orders for supplies; verifying receipt of supplies
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies

Requirements:

• License/Certification: Registered Dental Hygienist Required
• Recommending dental hygiene products
• Knowledge of basic computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook (e-mail and contact management preferred)
• Use of Dental Technology, Dental Health Maintenance, Infection Control, Health Promotion and Maintenance