Dental Hygienist - Eugene, United States - Department Of Veterans Affairs

Description

Summary

This position is located in the Eugene VA Medical Center, which is part of the Roseburg, OR VA Medical Center.

Duties

The Dental Hygienist provides direct patient care under the general supervision of the dentist and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision.

Duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Sets up operatory for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover.
• Handles instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently.
• Provides routine oral prophylactic care to include application of fluoride solutions.
• Provides gross debridement, and scaling and root planning procedures.
• Manages dental recall system, referring patients to the doctor for additional care when needed.
• Applies desensitizing and sealant materials.
• Administers topical and local anesthetic agents.
• Accomplishes all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols.
• Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes are minimized.
• Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatory areas.
• Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPD standards.
• Instruments are prepared in a manner that does not delay clinical care.
• Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images.
• Assists patients in scheduling appointments.
• Assists in filling gaps in the schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments.
• Charts findings, treatment plans, and treatment provided in patient records.
• Modifies care as necessitated by patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position).
• Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients.
• Participates in patient identification and time out per JCAHO requirements.