Job Description
Hygiene Assistant
Job Title:Dental Hygiene Assistant
Reports To:Hygienist, Managing Dentist and Office Manager
FLSA Status:Non - Exempt
SUMMARY Assists the Registered Dental Hygienist and/or the Dentist during examination and treatment of patients by performing the following duties.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following.
Birner Dental Management Services, Inc./Perfect Teeth retains the right to revise the following job duties at any time. Other duties may be assigned.
ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS:
·Represent Birner Dental Management Services/PERFECT TEETH and exhibit conduct in a professional and consistent style.
·Achieve professional dentist and staff relations through teamwork to ensure coordination of activities.
·Achieve quality, positive patient relations through excellent customer service skills to ensure no patient complaints.
·Follow internal marketing procedures such as referral gifts, new patient thank you cards, long term letters, kids letter, etc.
·Comply with all OSHA regulations, maintain office and operatory cleanliness, and ensure equipment functionality.
·Attend all required office and corporate meetings, which include morning “huddles” and staff meetings.
·Regular and predictable attendance is required.
CLINICAL FUNCTIONS: (Performs under the supervision of the Hygienist or Dentist)
·Prepare operatory for patient care by cleaning, sanitizing and maintaining instruments and equipment.
·Prepare patient for hygiene exam by greeting the patient, escorting the patient to the treatment room, and making them feel at-ease and comfortable to build rapport. Remain in treatment room with patient throughout their visit.
·Take and record medical and dental histories and updated personal information in patient’s chart.
·Take and expose dental diagnostic x-rays.
·Inform the hygienist when patient is ready for prophylaxis.
·Assist the hygienist in suctioning, periodontic exams and new patient periodontic screening.
·Polish, floss, and administer fluoride treatment and other recognized topical agents for the prevention of oral disease for patients after the hygienist completes scaling.
·Assist the dentist and hygienist with patient exam, dental and periodontal charting.
·End the treatment visit by reinforcing the treatment plan, providing preventive education and escorting the patient back to the front reception area.
·Conduct continuing care program as necessary.
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES · Prioritize activities and assignments as to their relative importance. · Exercise care in the completion of work assignments. · Be responsive to company needs. · Be creative and innovative in procedures and protocols. · Implement improvement measures and suggests ways to improve efficiency of operation and working conditions. · Request direction when needed.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES This job has no supervisory responsibilities.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
No prior experience or training.
Must be 18 years old to expose patients to ionizing radiation according to Colorado Dental Practice Law dated December 1, 1997.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence and accurately document treatment notes in patients' charts. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from dentist, hygienist, staff and patients.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages.
REASONING ABILITY
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. To understand the patient's treatment needs and present prescribed treatment in a professional, compassionate manner. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
X-Ray and CPR Certifications.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to saliva and blood-borne pathogens. The employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles and risk of radiation. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to high when around mechanical hand pieces.
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