Dental Hygienist
- Baltimore, MD
- Permanent
- Full-time
Under general supervision of a licensed dentist, provides preventive dental care and instructs patients on good oral hygiene practices.PRIMARY DUTIES1. Obtains health history and measures vital signs.
2. Conducts preliminary dental examination, including extra- and intra-oral structures of the head and neck.
3. Examines gum tissues including measurement of periodontal pockets, recession, and other signs of gum disease.
4. Charts conditions of decay and disease for diagnosis and treatment by dentist.
5. Exposes, develops, and interprets dental x-rays.
6. Consults with dentist regarding patient history and treatment. Formulates a dental hygiene treatment plan.
7. Performs dental prophylaxis which involves scaling and root planning to remove calculus deposits, accretions, and stains from teeth and beneath margins of gums. Polishes teeth or restorations.
8. Applies caries-preventive agents such as fluorides and pit and fissure sealants.
9. Helps patients develop and maintain good oral health by educating them about plaque control, diet, tobacco use cessation, and other habits affecting oral health.
10. Applies desensitizing agents and topical anesthesia.
11. Takes impressions of teeth for study models, custom fluoride trays, or athletic mouthguards.
12. Places and removes periodontal dressings including initial dressing. Removes sutures.
13. Operates technical equipment such as ultrasonic scaler, x-ray machine, and x-ray processor.
14. Maintains up-to-date records on patients using Wisdom module in EPIC..MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION: Graduation from an accredited dental hygiene program.
EXPERIENCE:
OTHER: Currently licensed as a Dental Hygienist by the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:
Thorough knowledge of the principles and techniques of oral hygiene, dental prophylaxis, and dental examination. Skill in the use of dental instruments and equipment. Ability to wear and work in personal protective equipment. Ability to explain the fundamentals of dental care and oral hygiene to both individual patients and to groups of patients. Ability to prepare and maintain dental charts, files, and records. Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with dentists, students, staff, and patients.
OTHER:
Except for qualifications established by law, additional related experience and formal education in which one has gained the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for full performance of the work of the job class may be substituted for the education or experience requirement on a year-for-year basis with 30 college credits being equivalent to one year of experience.