Dental Hygiene Therapist

Req: 2810
Under general, indirect or direct supervision where applicable of a Dentist in a practice setting, the Dental Therapist provides preventative, restorative and other educational, clinical and therapeutic patient services as part of the dental care team. Provides care as well as assesses the patient's risk of dental disease. Utilizes established dental hygiene protocols and procedures. Follows and supports the CARE model for patient experience.

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Key Responsibilities
Supports the overall mission of DentaQuest Care Group.
• Assesses dental conditions and risk, uses patient screening procedures, to include medical history review, dental charting, and Perio charting; takes patient vital signs as required.
• Follow all state dental practice acts to deliver direct care to patients as assigned and using established dental hygienist procedures; performs routine treatment procedures, such as cleaning, polishing, x-rays, application of sealants, fluorides and varnishes, and related procedures.
• Perform periodontal maintenance and other periodontal procedures as indicated.
• Develops and implements individualized dental care plans for patients; performs patient education and risk protocols, discharge planning, and patient/family teaching under the direction of a dentist.
• Provides chair-side assistance to dentist in the performance of special tests, procedures, and complex treatments.
• Makes impressions of patients' teeth as needed.
• Documents dental history of chief complaint; records and reports pertinent observations and patient reactions to dental team, as appropriate; documents lab procedures and ensures follow up on result.
• Assists with or institutes emergency measures for sudden adverse which may occur during treatment.
• Performs patient triage and initiates patient care as appropriate for all patients.
• 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, and other office duties.
Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.
• Assumes responsibility for the upkeep of the dental operatory and equipment; promptly notifying practice manager of any problems which may affect their ability to deliver safe and timely dental care.
• Performs routine cleaning and maintenance of dental equipment in assigned operatories and for the assigned equipment. Regularly and thoroughly performs maintenance of assigned equipment consistent with the upkeep of the other treatment rooms.
• Ensures use of downtime to include cleaning and stocking operatories as well as helping the rest of clinical team as needed.
• Attends and participates in team meetings and required training programs.
• Manages the schedule in collaboration with the Practice Manager.
• All other duties as assigned.
• Perform the following services under General Supervision of the dentist:
1. Identification of conditions requiring evaluation, diagnosis or treatment of a dentist, a physician, nurse practitioner or other licensed health care provider
2. Comprehensive charting of the oral cavity
3. Exposing and evaluation of radiographic images
4. Dental prophylaxis, including sub-gingivial scaling and polishing procedures
5. Application of topical or prophylactic agents, including fluoride varnishes and pit and fissure sealants
6. Administering local anesthetic
7. Pulp vitality testing
8. Application of desensitizing medication or resin
9. Fabrication of athletic mouth guards
10. Changing of periodontal dressings
11. Simple extractions of erupted primary anterior teeth and coronal remnants of any primary teeth
12. Emergency palliative treatment of dental pain
13. Preparation and placement of direct restoration in primary and permanent teeth
14. Fabrication and placement of single-tooth temporary crowns
15. Preparation and placement of preformed crowns primary teeth
16. Indirect pulp capping on permanent teeth
17. Indirect pulp capping on primary teeth
18. Suture removal
19. Minor adjustments and repairs of removable prosthetic devices
20. Atraumatic restorative therapy and interim restorative therapy
21. Oral examination, evaluation and diagnosis of conditions within the scope of practice of the dental therapist and with the supervising dentist's authorization
22. Removal of space maintainers
23. The dispensation and oral or topical administration of: nonnarcotic analgesics, anti-inflammatories and antibiotics.
Perform the following services under Indirect Supervision of the dentist:
1. Placement of temporary restorations
2. Fabrication of soft occlusal guards
3. Tissue reconditioning and soft reline
4. Tooth reimplantation and stabilization
5. Recementing of permanent crowns
6. Pulpotomies of on primary teeth
7. Simple extractions of: Erupted posterior primary teeth, permanent teeth that have horizontal movement of greater than two millimeters or vertical movement and that have at least 50 percent periodontal bone loss
8. Brush biopsies
9. Direct pulp capping on permanent teeth
Qualifications
• High School Diploma or GED.
• Current licensure as a Dental Therapist in state of practice.
• Current CPR certification.
• Obtain a collaborative agreement to perform dental therapy under the supervision of a dentist that outlines the supervision logistics and requirements for the dental therapist's practice.
• Knowledge of practice management software a plus.
• Ability to analyze medical records and prescribed protocol to formulate effective therapeutic treatment plans.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, an institutional regulations and guidelines for the provision of dental outpatient services.
• Ability to independently assess the nature and extent of periodontal health, perform caries risk assessments, and help in identifying conditions and pathology in dental patients.
• Ability to perform, a full range of established dental hygienist protocol and procedures.
• Knowledge of patient screening, charting, and medical history procedures and documentation.
• Knowledge and understanding of dental procedures, terminology, and techniques.
• Ability to set up and prepare dental equipment and instrumentation in accordance with established regulations and guidelines.
• Knowledge of patient admission, triage, transfer and discharge procedures and documentation.
• Adhering to the dental office infection control plan and policies to meet OSHA, CDC, ADA, HIPAA standards.
• Ability to adhere to appropriate patient schedule guidelines.
• Maintain Continuing Education (CE) as required by state.
• Pit and fissure sealant certificate preferred as required by state.
• Ability to work Monday through Friday and occasional weekends as scheduled and based on business need.
• Ability to effectively communicate with co-workers and patients.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:
• Ability to travel using personal car to cover other practices as needed.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
• Physical repetitive movements and the degree of mobility, manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination normally associated with the practice of oral hygiene.
• Work involves considerable exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, unpleasant odors, and or loud noises.
• Moderate physical activity; requires handling average-weight objects up to 15-20 pounds or standing and/or walking for more than 4 hours per day. Sitting for extended periods of time.
• Will work with blood or blood-borne pathogens and will require OSHA training.
• Work environment involves exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations that require following extensive safety precautions and may include the use of protective equipment.
Benefits

• Paid Time Off and 9 Paid Holidays
• Company-Paid Volunteer Day
• 401k with a company match
• Uniforms/Scrubs Provided
• Quarterly Bonus Opportunities
• Employee Referral Program Bonuses
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Company-Paid Life, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Health Reimbursement and Flexible Spending Accounts
• Career Growth Opportunities