Dental Hygienist Washington

Dental Hygienist Job DescriptionJob Purpose:Promotes dental health by completing dental prophylaxis; providing oral cancer screening and radiographic studies; charting conditions of decay and disease; performing procedures in compliance with the dental practice act.Duties:* Keep hygienist license current.* Prepares treatment room for patients by adhering to prescribed procedures and protocols. Leaves room ready for the next day: taking out the trash, sweeping, and mopping as needed.* Prepares patients for dental hygiene treatment by welcoming, soothing, seating, and draping patient.* Provides information to patients and employees by answering questions and requests.* Maintains instrumentation for dental hygiene treatment by sharpening, sterilizing, and selecting instruments.* Selects materials and equipment for dental hygiene visit by evaluating patient’s oral health.* Completes dental prophylaxis by cleaning deposits and stains from teeth and from beneath gum margins.* Detects disease by completing oral cancer screening; feeling and visually examining gums; using probes to locate periodontal disease and to assess levels of recession; exposing and developing radiographic studies.* Arrests dental decay by applying fluorides and other cavity-preventing agents.* Maintains patient appearance and ability to masticate by fabricating temporary restorations; cleaning and polishing removable appliances; removing cement from crowns and bridges.* Helps Dentist manage dental and medical emergencies by maintaining CPR certification, emergency drugs and oxygen supply, and directory of emergency numbers.* Educates patients by giving oral hygiene and plaque control instructions and postoperative instructions; providing reminders of time of next dental hygiene visit.* Documents dental hygiene services by recording vital signs and medical and dental histories; charting in patient records. Be proficient in Dentrix and radiograph software. * Maintains patient confidence and protects operations by keeping information confidential.* Maintains safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations.* Protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols.* Ensures operation of dental equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; following manufacturer’s instructions; troubleshooting malfunctions; calling for repairs; maintaining equipment inventories; evaluating new equipment and techniques.* Maintains dental supplies inventory by checking stock to determine inventory level; anticipating needed supplies.* Conserves dental resources by using equipment and supplies as needed to accomplish job results.* Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies, and keeping certificates current.* Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.