Dental Hygienist GS-0682-07 - Defense Health Agency Civilian Corps, Falls Church, VA

This position is located at Moncrief Army Health Clinic, Fort Jackson SC.

Moncrief Army Health Clinic is located on Fort Jackson, South Carolina and is  part of the 82 square mile military installation located adjacent to the state capital of Columbia.

Moncrief is named in honor of Colonel William Henry Moncrief, Sr., a former Army Medical Corps surgeon whose career spanned over 41 years of dedicated service. Following his retirement from active duty in 1939, Colonel Moncrief moved to Columbia where he served as Administrator of the South Carolina Sanatorium at State Park until 1954.

Dedicated in 1972 as Moncrief Army Community Hospital, the clinic is a modern medical complex covering 323,000 square feet. Within the 12-story facility and its related clinics, a wide range of medical services are available, ensuring quality and comprehensive medical care.

To enhance services, agreements exist between Moncrief and various universities and other health care facilities. These affiliations provide for student instruction and supervision for clinical learning experiences and an enriched spectrum of clinical modalities. The University of South Carolina, College of Nursing, and a number of college-level programs are offered through the post Education Center. Residents from the University of South Carolina Medical School, Providence Health and Prisma Health, currently rotate with several medical services at Moncrief. Excellence through education continues as Columbia has available six colleges, two seminaries and two universities.

Links: https://moncrief.tricare.mil/

          https://home.army.mil/jackson/index.php

Serves as a dental hygienist responsible for performing advanced prophylactic and preventive procedures in the treatment of patients with related medical and dental problems. Completes preliminary dental examinations on new dental service patients. The hygienist reviews patients medical and dental history for evidences of past and present conditions such as illnesses and use of drugs which may complicate or alter dental hygiene treatment. Examines the teeth and surrounding tissues for evidences of plaque and periodontal disease and charts findings; inspects the mouth and throat for evidence of disease such as oral cancer; interprets routine x-rays to identify tooth structures, calculus and abnormalities such as cavities and deep periodontal pockets. Refers abnormalities such as cavities, traumatic occlusion, and suspicious lesions to the dentist. Prepares dental hygiene treatment plans for patient including assessment of the problem, type of oral hygiene care required, and the sequence of appointments needed to complete treatment.

Performs complete and advanced oral prophylaxis on ambulatory and non-ambulatory patients, using knowledge of dental and oral anatomy, physiology, and histology; knowledge of principles and techniques of preventive dentistry; knowledge of dental instruments and materials; knowledge of oral pathology and periodontology; knowledge of medical diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease; and skill in performing specialized prophylactic and preventive dental hygiene procedures. Performs deep scaling, root planning, and sub-gingival curettage under local anesthesia. Administers local anesthesia. Takes intra-oral impressions to prepare study models. Smooths and polishes rough edges of restorations and applies stannous fluoride. Provides therapeutic care in cases of acute gingivitis and periodontal disease. Provides bedside prophylactic treatment for comatose, neurosurgical, and other types of non-ambulatory patients. Makes repairs and adjustment to teeth by smoothing rough edges, removes overhanging margins, reduces sharp edges, and inserts temporary fillings. Polishes teeth and applies stannous fluoride for hypersensitivity and caries prevention.

Completes all preparation for dental hygiene treatment, using knowledge of infection control procedures and OSHA guidelines; knowledge of dental and oral anatomy, physiology, histology, radiology, nutrition, and principles and techniques of preventive dentistry; ability to maintain records; and ability to expose, develop, process, and mount radiographs including bite wing, periapical, and panoramic x-rays. Completes preliminary dental examinations. Explains to patients the causes of periodontal disease and tooth decay. Maintains patient's record of treatment, recording oral conditions of the teeth and surrounding tissues, progress and therapy notes,
etc. Interprets routine x-rays to identify tooth structures, calculus, and abnormalities. Takes, develops, and mounts necessary radiographs; positions x-ray equipment and patient to ensure coverage of designated area. Examines patient's mouth, throat, and pharynx, referring abnormalities to dentist.

Performs postoperative care and provides oral hygiene instruction, using knowledge of dental and oral anatomy, physiology, histology, radiology, nutrition, principles and techniques of preventive dentistry; skill in providing individual and group oral health care instructions and in performing specialized prophylactic and preventive dental hygiene procedures; and ability to expose, develop, and process radiographs on patients such as bite wing, periapical, and panoramic x-rays. Regularly instructs nurses and nursing assistants in the proper techniques of oral hygiene to be applied to bedridden, handicapped, disabled, and chronically ill patients. Presents lectures and demonstrations on oral health care to various patient groups such as diabetics, hemodialysis patients, and drug or alcohol dependent patients by using slides, denture models, toothbrushes, and other dental education materials. Instructs patients at chair-side in oral hygiene, brushing, flossing techniques, and periodontal techniques. Removes overhanging margins of fillings, reduces sharp edges of fractured teeth, polishes and finishes amalgam restoration, etc. Plans and adapts instructions in home care techniques, tailoring them to oral hygiene needs and oral problems of individual patients. Removes sutures, changes dressings, and applies topical anesthetics. Takes impressions for construction of mouth guards.

Completes preliminary dental examinations on new dental service patients, using knowledge of dental and oral anatomy, physiology, histology, radiology, nutrition, etc., and ability to maintain medical and dental records. Reviews patient's medical records and completes preliminary dental examination. Examines teeth and surrounding tissue for evidence of plaque and periodontal disease and charts finds. Inspects the mouth and throat for evidence of disease such as oral cancer. Interprets routine x-rays to identify tooth structures, calculus, and abnormalities such as cavities and deep periodontal pockets. Takes, develops, and mounts necessary radiographs; positions machine, film, and patient to ensure coverage of designated area. Examines patient's mouth, throat, and pharynx and refers abnormalities such as cavities, traumatic occlusion, and suspicious lesions to the dentist.

US Citizenship required

Must be currently licensed to practice as a dental hygienist in a State or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia.