SOUTH PLAINS RURAL HEALTH SERVICES, INC.
POSITION DESCRIPTION

DENTAL HYGIENIST

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Dental Hygienist works as part of the dental provider team providing dental services to the patients of the Center. The Dental Hygienist performs dental prophylactic services and provides educational information for the prevention and control of dental disease.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Cleans patient's teeth including scaling and polishing.
2. Takes radiographs as instructed by dentist.
3. Provides preventive dental treatment such as topical applications of drugs, pit and fissure sealant to the surface tissues and exposed surfaces of human teeth.
4. Marginates amalgam restorations to smooth the fillings borders.
5. Provides a dental hygiene perspective of the patient for the dentist to enhance the total dental care treatment.
6. Advises patients on proper home care for the treatment of teeth and gums.
7. Sets up and restocks cubicle work area.
8. Maintains records and prepares reports of dental services rendered.
9. Develops, implements, and maintains a patient recall system to track patients due for prophylactics each month.
10. Reviews rules and standards, recommends and/or initiates changes in departmental policies and procedures, as appropriate.
11. Participates in the development and implementation of a regularly up-dated performance improvement plan.
12. Attends all dental staff meetings and participates in the health center's Performance Improvement program.
13. Maintain positive and professional attitude toward other employees and staff.
14. Recognize own role in marketing of clinic services by developing positive relations with the public in general.
15. Participates in the health center's performance improvement activities and performs duties in accordance with applicable standards.
16. Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor and/or Chief Executive Officer.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

The Dental Hygienist reports to, is supervised by, and evaluated by the Dental Director.

EVALUATION:

The evaluation of work performance will be ongoing, and will be carried out by the Dental Director. It will include the specific duties and responsibilities of this position description plus employee attitude and general working behavior. Formal evaluation will normally be performed annually, but may be initiated at other times by the Dental Hygienist or the Dental Director.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. High School graduation and completion of an approved dental hygiene training program.
2. License to practice dental hygiene by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners.
3. Knowledge of the principles and practices of preventive dentistry and oral hygiene.
4. Skill in the use of dental tools and equipment.
5. Ability to prepare and maintain accurate records.
6. The ability to relate with warmth and effectiveness to the patients and other dental care providers of the health center
7. Must be qualified in Basic Life Support techniques.
8. Sufficient experience and/or education to carry out the duties of this position.
9. Staff will be assessed by Bilingual English/Spanish CMO as competent to interpret medical dialogue

STATUS:

This is an FLSA Non-exempt position.
This is an OSHA high-risk position.
This is an ADA negotiable position.

SALARY:

The salary for this position is negotiated between the individual and the Dental Director using the approved salary scale of the organization as a basis.