Dental Hygienist

Dental Hygienists are responsible for providing oral care to patients under the supervision of a dentist. This includes, but is not
limited to, cleanings, patient screenings, and advising patients on oral health and preventative care.

-Establish and maintain positive relationship with patients, visitors and other
employees. Interacts professionally, courteously and appropriately with
patients, visitors and other employees. Behave in manner consistent with
maintaining and furthering a positive public perception of Martin Luther
King Health System and its employees.

-Contributes to and participates in the Performance/Quality Improvement
activities of the assigned department. Contribution and participation
includes data collection, analysis, implementation of and compliance with
risk management and claims activities, support of and participation in
Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) teams, consistent adherence to the
specific rules and regulations of the of Martin Luther King Health System
(a) Safety and Security Policies, (b) Risk Management: Incident and
Occurrence Reporting, (c) Infection Control Policies and Procedures and
(d) Patient and Customer Service.

-Removes calculus and plaque from all surfaces of the teeth under the
supervision of a dental attending. 

-Applies preventative materials to the teeth (ex: sealant, fluoride) under the
supervision of a dental attending.

-Teaches patients appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health (ex:
brushing, flossing, nutritional counseling, smoking cessation) under the supervision
of a dental attending. 

-6. Describe responsibility: Exceeds Expectation
Meets Expectation
Does Not Meet Expectation
Takes and develops dental radiographs under the supervision of a dental
attending. 

-Performs patient screening procedures, such as assessment of oral health
conditions, review of health history, oral cancer screening, head and neck
inspection and taking blood pressure and pulse under the supervision of a dental
attending.

-Displays proficiency in both hospital and dental electronic medical record systems
(ex: dental charting, coding, reviewing medical records, entering and amending
notes, etc.) under the supervision of a dental attending.

-9. Describe responsibility: Exceeds Expectation
Meets Expectation
Does Not Meet Expectation
Counsels patients about healthy nutrition and its impact on oral health under the
supervision of a dental attending. 

-Minimum of 1 year of Dental Hygienist experience required.
2 years of experience preferred.

-New York State License as Dental Hygienist 

High school graduate or
equivalent

-Computer literacy, especially with scheduling and medical records software