Registered Dental Hygienist I, II, III
Department: Dental
Location: Varies
Reports to: Dental Director
Status: Full-time
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Pay Range: RDH: $51.00 – 63.18/hr, RDH II: $54.64 - 66.78/hr, RDH: 57.00 - 69.14/hr
Organization Information
WellSpace Health believes that everyone deserves to be seen, no matter who you are, where you come from, where you work or what place you call home. We see you and are here for you. To that end, we’ve committed ourselves to finding solutions for our community’s health and wellbeing to achieve regional health through high quality comprehensive care.
Our focus has always been to offer a full range of quality medical care, dental care, mental health and behavioral health services, and enabling services to underserved people. We do this by placing ourselves within the communities we serve and employing outstanding healthcare professionals who are devoted to our mission.
We are a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and are accredited by the Joint Commission for Ambulatory Care and Behavioral Health. We’re also certified by the Joint Commission as a Primary Care Medical Home and a Behavioral Health Home.
Position Summary
The primary purpose of this position is to perform advanced prophylactic dental treatment for adult and pediatric patients. The Hygienist instructs patients, individually and in groups, in proper oral hygiene care using materials such as teeth models, displays, disclosing solutions, toothbrushes, and floss. Performs complete oral prophylaxis to include: supragingival and sub-gingival scaling using ultrasonic scalers and hand instruments, polishes the teeth with abrasive pastes and rubber cups, and applies topical fluoride treatments. Provides therapeutic and preventive procedures for patients in all classifications of periodontal disease. Provides treatment for patients with advanced periodontal disease complicated by other dental and medical problems. Prepares patients for periodontal surgery by performing deep scaling and root planning therapy.
Required Qualifications
- Requires high school diploma or equivalent.
- Completion of Dental Hygiene training program with a registered Dental Hygienist (R.D.H) License supplemented by minimum of one year dental office experience.
- Ability to work courteously and effectively as a team member to support the quality/efficiency standards established for the clinic; work independently; exercise good judgment; spell correctly; communicate effectively orally and in writing; follow oral/written instructions, perform clerical work in a methodical, independent and thorough manner with speed and accuracy.
- Ability to work in four-handed dentistry.
- Proficient in digital charting and digital radiography (QSI preferred).
- Knowledge of dental terminology, and office practices and procedures.
- Experience in a pediatric and/or adult setting with medically compromised patients is preferred, but not required.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
- Fluency in additional languages preferred.
- Commitment to HIPAA and ability to abide by standards of professional ethics and maintain confidentiality.
- Adherence to infection control procedures, including but not limited to, standard precautions of temperature monitoring, hand washing, symptom self-monitoring, masking and social distancing.
- Assist and support the Center/Department/Program to meet standards of High Reliability.
- Must be willing to travel 10% of the time to Provider meetings and other required meetings.
Essential Responsibilities
- Reviews patients’ medical and dental history for evidence of past and present conditions such as medical illnesses and the use of drugs which may complicate or alter dental hygiene treatment.
- Maintains patient’s record of treatment. Records oral conditions of the teeth and surrounding tissues, progress and therapy notes, appointment and the number of patients treated and type of treatment administered.
- Examines teeth and surrounding tissues for evidence of plaque and periodontal disease and charts findings; inspects the mouth and throat for periodontal disease and charts findings; inspects the mouth and throat for evidence of diseases such as oral cancel; interprets routine x-rays to identify tooth structures, calculus, and abnormalities such as cavities, traumatic occlusion, and suspicious lesions to the dentist;
- Prepares dental hygiene treatment plans for patient including assessment of the problem, type of oral hygiene care required, and the sequences of appointments needed to complete the treatment.
- Performs a complete periodontal pocket charting, oral prophylaxis on ambulatory and non-ambulatory patients. Performs deep sub gingival scaling, root planning, curettage and administers local anesthesia. Polishes the teeth and applies fluoride for hypersensitivity and caries prevention.
- Gives home care instruction to patients after curettage. In post-operative care of oral surgery and periodontal surgery patients, performs suture removal, changes dressing, applies topical anesthetics, and provides home care instructions.
- Instructs patient at chair side in oral hygiene, brushing and flossing techniques, and periodontal aides. Explains to patients the causes of periodontal disease and tooth decay, and the importance of diet as it relates to oral and systemic health.
- Regularly instructs nurses, health educators, social workers, nursing assistants, community health representatives, other medical health staff, and school teachers in the proper techniques of oral hygiene to be applied to young patients, the bedridden, handicapped, disabled and chronically ill patient.
- Presents lectures and demonstration in oral health care to various patient and community groups, using slides, denture models, tooth brushes, charts, and other dental education materials.
- Takes, develops and interprets intra-oral and extra-oral x-rays to determine areas of calculus deposits and periodontal involvement. Selects and arranges x-rays for special use in education and motivating the patient.
- Duties involve coordinating, planning, organizing, implementing and evaluating the community dental prevention program.
- Makes arrangements and maintains documentation regarding fluoride rinse programs, school sealant programs, oral health educational programs, and other community based interventions.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Benefits
Successful candidate will receive regionally competitive salary, above average health benefits at reduced costs, company paid life insurance & long-term disability insurance, additional voluntary retirement plan with company match and no vesting schedule requirement.
- Paid bereavement and jury duty leave
- 11 paid holidays per year
- Paid time off
- Paid sick leave
- Flexible Spending Program
- Company paid malpractice insurance for all providers
- Professional development hours offered annually
- 401(k) plan for eligible employees who have completed their 90-day introductory period
Physical Demands and Work Environment
The work environment is characteristic of a medical clinic environment. 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 frequently required to sit; use hands to handle, or feel. The employee is also required to stand; walk; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee must also possess hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the phone. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
The employee may be in contact with individuals and families in crisis who may be ill, using substances and/or not attentive to personal health and safety for themselves or their homes. The employee may experience a number of unpleasant sensory demands associated with the client’s use of alcohol and drugs, and the lack of personal care. The employee may also be exposed to bodily fluids (blood, urine) and hazardous chemicals.
WellSpace Health is committed to the principals of equal employment. We are committed to complying with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities, and all other employment laws and regulations. It is the intent of WellSpace Health to maintain a work environment free of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation because of age, race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and/or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state or local laws. WellSpace Health is dedicated to the fulfillment of this policy in regard to all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, placement transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay, and other compensation, termination, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
WellSpace Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $51.00 - $69.14 per hour
License/Certification:
- Registered Dental Hygienist (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Sacramento, CA 95815 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Sacramento, CA 95815: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
