About the position
The dental hygienist at Poteau Dental Clinic is a full-time position that operates under the general direction and guidance of a dentist. This role is crucial in providing both clinical and educational services to patients, ensuring that they receive the best possible care tailored to their individual oral hygiene needs. The dental hygienist is empowered to make decisions regarding the treatment that best suits each patient's requirements, which includes motivating patients to maintain their oral health. In this position, the dental hygienist will perform a variety of tasks including chairside prophylaxis, full mouth debridement, subgingival scaling, and root planning using both hand instruments and ultrasonic devices. The hygienist will also be responsible for observing, reporting, and charting all oral conditions and periodontal issues by examining the patients' teeth, mouth, throat, and pharynx. Additional responsibilities include placing temporary restorations, applying desensitizing agents, sealants, removing sutures, and changing periodontal dressings. Education is a key component of this role, as the dental hygienist will educate patients on proper brushing and flossing techniques, provide nutritional and dietary counseling to control dental disease, offer tobacco counseling, and instruct on the care of removable appliances and bridges. The hygienist will also administer anesthesia and medications, including topical anesthetics, local anesthetics, topical fluoride gel, and nitrous oxide, ensuring that patients are comfortable during their treatments. Before initiating any treatment, the hygienist will review the patient's dental and medical history, medications, charts, and radiographs. Adhering to infection control standards as set forth by company policy and procedures is also a critical aspect of this role. The position requires physical stamina, as it involves light work, which includes lifting no more than 20 pounds at a time and frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds. The job may require a lot of walking or standing, and the ability to perform a full range of light work is essential.
Responsibilities
- Perform chair side prophylaxis, full mouth debridement, sub gingival scaling and root planning using hand instruments and ultrasonic devices.
- Observe, report, and chart all oral conditions and periodontal problems by examining patients' teeth, mouth, throat, and pharynx.
- Place temporary restorations, desensitizing agents, sealants, remove sutures, and change periodontal dressings.
- Educate patients on proper brushing and flossing techniques, nutritional and dietary counseling for control of dental disease, tobacco counseling, and care of removable appliances and bridges.
- Administer anesthesia and medications such as topical anesthetic, local anesthetic, topical fluoride gel, topical fluoride varnish, and nitrous oxide.
- Review patient dental history, medical history, medications, chart, and radiographs before initiating treatment.
- Practice infection control standards as set forth by company policy and procedures.
- Perform other responsibilities as may be assigned.
Requirements
- Associate degree from an accredited dental hygiene program and valid state license.
- 1 or more years of clinical experience.
- Ability to treat patients with periodontal disease.
- Good interpersonal skills to work with patients of all ages.
Benefits
- Free gym membership
- Free access to employee health clinic
- Free lunch for casino & resort associates
- Paid vacation / sick time
- Medical / Dental / Vision
- 401(K) with company match
- College tuition reimbursement
- Short-term disability, long-term disability, and family leave
- Employee assistance program
- Employee prescription program
