Registered Dental Hygienist

Job Description
Mission City Community Network, Inc. is a non-profit organization of multiple clinics operating as a Federally Qualified Health Center. We are dedicated to serving low income families in the San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel Valley, Los Angeles and San Bernardino areas. We are committed to providing high quality care in the following areas:
Adult, Pediatrics, Women's Health, Dentistry, Health Education, and Mental Health.
Position:
Registered Dental Hygienist
Location:
San Fernando Valley - North Hills
Part-Time 1 day per week Monday (8:
30a-5p), availability to add more shifts depending on patient flow increase/clinic need (Tuesday 8:
30a-5p)
Cover other sites, as deemed necessary
Under general supervision of licensed dentists, perform basic dental care tasks, mostly focused on keeping patients’ teeth and gums clean. Hygienists often see patients on their own, working closely with dentists. Daily duties include removing plaque/calculus and polishing a patient’s teeth during a routine checkup. Screening patients, reviewing a patient’s oral health history and teaching appropriate brushing and flossing techniques. Promotes dental health by completing dental prophylaxis;
scaling and root planing;
application of sealants, fluoride varnishes, charting conditions of decay and disease;
performing procedures in compliance with the dental practice act. Use of X-ray machines to take pictures of the teeth and develop the film for the dentist’s analysis.
Responsibilities:
Assists in the oral health management of all clinic patients. Initiate oral health education, risk protocols, and prevention activities under the supervision of a dentist.
Prepares treatment room for patient by adhering to prescribed procedures and protocols.
Prepares patient for dental hygiene treatment by welcoming, soothing, seating, and draping patient.
Obtains baseline oral hygiene assessment data based upon accepted principles of oral hygiene and periodontal care. Review/update medical history, dental/periodontal charting and take vitals signs as required.
Maintains instruments and equipment for dental hygiene visit by evaluating patient’s oral health.
Completes dental prophylaxis and scaling &
root planing by cleaning deposits/tartars/ stains from teeth and from beneath gum margins.
Take x-rays, application of sealants, fluoride varnishes, and takes impressions of patients’ teeth for study casts. When needed provides chairside assistance to the dentist in the performance of procedures, special tests, and complex treatments.
Educates patients by giving oral hygiene and plaque control instructions and postoperative instructions;
providing reminders of time of next dental hygiene visit. Assist with patient check-in, discharge, referral processes;
prepare reports and assists as required with patient reception, telephone calls, routine triage and other office duties.
Performs independent procedures as delegated and directed by a dentist in accordance with state regulations and law as well as Dental Department protocol and directive.
Protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and proceduresto ensure a safe and clean working environment.
Assists with various clinical and administrative functions of the clinic as appropriate and time permits.
Ensures operation of dental operatory/equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements;
following manufacturer’s instructions;
troubleshooting malfunctions;
maintaining equipment inventories;
evaluating new equipment and techniques.
As directed by a supervisor, performs other related and/or necessary tasks to achieve organizational and programmatic goals and objectives.
Responsible for personal compliance with all applicable federal, state, local and center rules, regulations, protocols and procedures governing the practice of dental hygiene and the clinical provision of dental hygiene services as well as those relating to, but not limited to, personnel issues, work place safety, public health and confidentiality.
Initiates same day patient care and walk-ins.
Scan reception room for patients. Use downtime to clean and restock operatories and perform miscellaneous duties within the Dental program as assigned.
Assist with or institutes emergency measures for sudden adverse development during treatment of patients.
Travels to various clinic sites when necessary to meet operational needs.