Dental Hygienist - Oklahoma City, United States - Enhance Dental

Description

Job purpose

Dental Hygienists conduct initial patient screenings, clean teeth (e.g. remove plaque) and advise patients on oral health and preventative care. Dental Hygienists also help dentists decide treatments for teeth or gum diseases and handle dental emergencies.

Duties and responsibilities

• Conducting patient screening procedures, such as assessment of oral health conditions, review of the health history, oral cancer screening, head and neck inspection, dental charting and taking blood pressure and pulse
• Taking and developing dental radiographs (x-rays)
• Removing calculus and plaque (hard and soft deposits) from all surfaces of the teeth
• Applying preventive materials to the teeth (e.g., sealants and fluorides)
• Teaching patients appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health;
  
  (e.g., tooth brushing, flossing and nutritional counseling)
• Counseling patients about good nutrition and its impact on oral health
• Making impressions of patients' teeth for study casts (models of teeth used by dentists to evaluate patient treatment needs)
• Identifying conditions like gingivitis, caries or periodontitis
• Sterilizing dental instruments properly
• Performing documentation and office management activities

Qualifications

• Associate degree from a dental hygiene school accredited by the Commission of Dental Accreditation (CODA)
• State certified dental hygienist license

Working conditions

Dental practices run at a fast pace and dental hygienists will be required to keep up with the flow of doctors and patients.

Physical requirements

Dental Hygienists will be required to:

• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Repeat the same movements.
• Bend or twist their body.
• Sit for long periods of time.
• Stand for long periods of time.