About the position
UT Southwestern Medical Center is hiring for the position of Dental Hygienist in the SY-Clinic Oral & Max Surgery department. This role involves assisting division faculty during oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontic, prosthodontic, or restorative procedures. The Dental Hygienist will be responsible for circulating during these procedures, handing instruments and supplies to the dentist or surgeon as needed. A key aspect of this position is the maintenance and infection control of instruments and handpieces, which includes sharpening instruments as necessary and cleaning and sterilizing them according to established policies. The Dental Hygienist will also label, send, and follow up on pathology samples obtained in the clinic by division faculty. In addition to assisting during procedures, the Dental Hygienist will set up sterile instrument trays for operations and routine dental treatments, ensuring that clinical trays are ready for emergencies. After procedures, the hygienist will clean and sterilize treatment rooms and instruments, as well as provide routine care to instruments, linens, and auxiliary supplies, including spray valves, compressed air apparatus, syringes, and suction equipment. This position requires a high level of professionalism and attention to detail, as the Dental Hygienist will also be responsible for taking preoperative and postoperative radiographs, processing, developing, labeling, and filing them in patients' charts. Furthermore, the hygienist will provide instructions and demonstrations regarding dental care and correct methods of brushing teeth and gums, maintaining records of services rendered and assisting with organizing patient follow-up visits.
Responsibilities
- Assist division faculty during oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontic, prosthodontic, or restorative procedures.
- Circulate during procedures, handing instruments and supplies to the dentist or surgeon as needed.
- Maintain and control infection of instruments and handpieces by sharpening and sterilizing them according to established policy.
- Label, send, and follow up on pathology samples obtained in the clinic.
- Set up sterile instrument trays for operations and routine dental treatments; ensure clinical trays are ready for emergencies.
- Clean and sterilize treatment rooms and instruments after procedure completion.
- Take preoperative and postoperative radiographs, including processing, developing, labeling, and filing in patients' charts.
- Provide instructions and demonstrations regarding dental care and correct methods of brushing teeth and gums.
- Maintain records of services rendered and assist with organizing patient follow-up visits.
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED.
- Graduate of a recognized school of dentistry or dental hygiene accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.
- Licensure to practice dental hygiene in the State of Texas.
- Basic Life Support (BLS) certification accredited by the American Heart Association or American Red Cross.
- CPR certification.
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Childcare
