Dental Hygienist

Gateway Community Health Center - Laredo, TX

Laredo, TX

Ambulatory Health Care Services

About the position

The certified Dental Hygienist's primary responsibility is to provide technical aspects of dental hygiene which involve prophylactic dental treatments and oral health education.

Responsibilities

• Provide dental prophylaxis and fluoride treatments.
• Screens and sets preliminary chart for diagnosis and treatment by dentist.
• Performs pit and fissure sealants, scaling and root planning.
• Performs cavitron scaling as indicated by dentist.
• Takes radiographs on patients as requested by dentist.
• Records all treatment in charts.
• Places dental patients on a recall system upon completion of prophylactic treatment and may be required to help in scheduling of patients.
• Follows OSHA standards and guidelines for sterilization procedures.
• Maintains handpieces and scalers according to manufacturer's guidelines.
• Sharpens and maintains all scalers.
• Maintains and restocks the hygiene operatory in conjunction with casting inventory protocols.
• Advises dental director of equipment and supply needs.
• Provides, as directed by dental director, oral dental health education to patients, parents of pediatric patients, school age children or other community organizations at designated sites.
• Must participate in Center's Peer Review Process.
• May also be asked to supervise dental/dental hygienist students for teaching purposes according to qualifications of hygienist.
• May be asked to help in training personnel for OSHA requirements and infection control according to qualifications of hygienist.
• Must wear required personal protection when handling exposed instruments and equipment.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Must be a graduate from an accredited school of Dental Hygiene.
• Must be currently licensed in the State of Texas.
• Must meet State Board requirements to maintain license in good standing.
• Must be proficient in taking vital signs.
• Must maintain continuing education requirements including a current CPR certificate.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish is preferred.
• Must have a working knowledge of computers.