Dental Hygienist - Community Health Centers, Inc.

POSITION SUMMARY: Professional position responsible to provide dental prophylaxis, application of fluoride solutions, varnishes, and sealants. Assists the dentist as required (i.e. x-rays, impressions, etc).

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES: The following information is intended to be representative of the essential functions performed by incumbents in this position and is not all-inclusive. The omission of a specific task or function will not preclude it from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical extension of position responsibilities.

1.Cleans calculus deposits, accretions, and stains from teeth and beneath margins of gums, using dental instruments.

2.Feels lymph nodes under patient’s chin to detect swelling or tenderness that could indicate presence of oral cancer.

3.Feels and visually examines gums for sores and signs of disease.

4.Examines gums, using probes, to locate periodontal recessed gums and signs of gum disease.

5.Applies fluorides and other cavity preventing agents to arrest dental decay.

6.Charts conditions of decay and disease for diagnosis and treatment by dentist.

7.Take X-Rays

Marginal Functions:

1.May remove sutures and dressings.

2.May administer local anesthetic agents.

3.May place and remove rubber dams, matrices, and temporary restorations.

4.May remove excess cement from coronal surfaces of teeth.

5.May provide clinical services and health education to improve and maintain oral health of school children.

6.May conduct dental health clinics for community groups to augment services of dentist.

QUALIFICATIONS: Requires completion of an accredited school of dental hygiene and possession of a license to practice dental hygiene in the State of Utah. Must be Bilingual in Spanish/English.