Responsibilities:
- Prepare treatment room for patient by adhering to prescribed procedures and protocols
- Prepare patient for dental hygiene treatment by welcoming, soothing, seating, and draping patient
- Provide information to patients and employees by answering questions and requests
- Maintain instrumentation for dental hygiene treatment by sharpening, sterilizing, and selecting instruments
- Select materials and equipment for dental hygiene visit by evaluating patient’s oral health
- Complete dental prophylaxis by cleaning deposits and stains from teeth and from beneath gum margins
- Detect 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
- Arrest dental decay by applying fluorides and other cavity- preventing agents
- Help dentist manage dental and medical emergencies by maintaining CPR certification, emergency drugs and oxygen supply, and directory of emergency numbers
- Educate patients by giving oral hygiene and plaque control instructions and postoperative instructions; providing reminders of time of next dental hygiene visit
- Document dental hygiene services by recording vital signs and medical and dental histories; charting in patient records
- Maintain patient confidence and protect operations by keeping information confidential
- Maintain safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations
- Protect patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols
- Ensure 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
- Maintain dental supplies inventory by checking stock to determine inventory level; anticipating needed supplies; placing and expediting orders for supplies; verifying receipt of supplies
- Conserve dental resources by using equipment and supplies as needed to accomplish job results
- Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies
- Contribute to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed