Dental Hygienist

Sunnybrook Dental • Full-time • Sioux City, Iowa, United States • $40 / hour • 3w ago

Dental Hygienist

Job Objective:

Are you looking for a change? Do you want to have FUN while you work? Do you want to make a difference in patients oral health? APPLY TODAY! We are currently looking to hire a hygienist to join our great team! To oversee and maintain efficient dental hygienist operations, patient management for oral hygiene treatment, promotion of the practice

Responsibilities:

Directs all clinical activities related to the oral hygiene department, including but not limited to:
Works in conjunction with Patient Services Coordinator to maintain high levels of patient satisfaction. This includes monitoring patient flow, directing patient priority and directing emergency patient care when needed.
Monitors sterilization of instruments
Performs daily clinical duties, as well as afterhours duties as requested by the doctor
Reviews patient charts for the day
Bitewings that are due
Periodic or Comprehensive exams that are due
FMX that are due
Noting past due family members
Incomplete treatment
Possible treatment plans needing diagnosed by doctor
Where extra help may be needed in hygiene – x-rays, instruments, assistance needed with patient
Noting special patient needs (ie. neck pillow, operatory, etc)
Reviews schedule for the next 2-3 days and makes recommendations to Patient Services Coordinator
Patient care
Discuss and look at any dental problem or complaint a patient may have
Take x-rays as needed
Check for suspicious areas visually and with oral camera
Probe
Inform patient of findings and prepare them for what Doctor may recommend or diagnose
Perform regular prophylaxis, prophylaxis with anesthetic (Doctor must be in the office), laser therapy or root planning
Provide fluoride treatment
Give oral hygiene instructions as needed
Place treatment plan in the computer
Record treatment completed that day in patient’s chart and sign
Disinfect operatory and put instruments in the ultrasonic
Inform Patient Services Coordinator if patient is going to do treatment pending or if not and why not
Wipe down operatory
Set up operatory for next patient
Bag instruments
Place and replace sealants
Clean operatory after final patient
Clear and run disinfectant through lines
Flush suction lines with disinfectant
Clean and sterilize hand pieces
Empty ultrasonic solution and wipe counter
Miscellaneous Duties
Clean traps in operatories
Sharpen instruments
Set up referral appointments with Specialists – give patient referral slip and e-mail appropriate x-rays to Specialist office
Write pre-authorization letters to be submitted to insurance company for periodontal procedures
Practice within OSHA guidelines and stay up on the standards
Stay up on state laws and changes
Look for ways to continually improve the hygiene program and make it more productive, while providing quality care
Work with Doctor on determining what patients need root planning, laser therapy and/or placement of antimicrobial agents
Find ways to fill Doctor’s schedule
Find ways to fill hygiene schedule
Teamwork Duties
Call other Doctors offices to check on x-rays or information needed
Call medical offices to check on need for pre-med
Help with sterilization of instruments
Empty trash
Seat patient for Doctor and start emergency evaluation
Probe for Doctor and explain periodontal disease during exam appointment
Remove overhangs from fillings
Inform Office Manager of information that needs to be discussed during staff meetings
Go over treatment plans and educate the patient
Put sterile instruments away