Dental Hygienist

SUMMARY

The part-time Dental Hygienist provides preventative and therapeutic dental hygiene services to Tribal Dental Clinic patients, including oral health assessments, periodontal care, dental radiographs, and patient education. This position works collaboratively with the dental care team to promote oral health and support quality, patient-centered care.

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

· Provides dental hygiene services within the scope of Oregon licensure, including reviewing medical and dental histories, assessing oral health, obtaining and processing dental radiographs, scaling and root planning, prophylaxis, debridement, fluoride treatments, and dental sealants.

· Identifies and documents signs of periodontal disease, dental conditions, and other oral health concerns; communicating findings to the dentist or dental therapist as appropriate.

· Educates patients on their oral health status, prevention care, home hygiene practices, and recommends follow-up treatment.

· Reviews and updates patient medical and dental histories, medications, conditions, and relevant factors.

· Completes accurate, timely patient chart notes, treatment documentation, and applicable procedure coding in accordance with clinic standards.

· Conducts oral health screenings, including intraoral and extraoral assessments, within the scope of licensure.

· Communicates potential restorative or other treatment concerns to the dentist or dental therapist for evaluation.

· Assists with planning and delivering oral health prevention programs and patient education activities.

· Follows infection prevention and control procedures, including cleaning and sterilizing instruments, maintaining treatment areas, and completing assigned routine infection control tasks.

· Performs routine equipment care and reports maintenance or safety concerns promptly.

· Maintains current knowledge of dental hygiene practices, professional standards, and continuing education requirements.

· Manages patient appointment time effectively and collaborates with Dental Clinic and Health Services staff to support coordinated care.

· Monitors dental hygiene supplies and equipment and assists with inventory and ordering as assigned.

· Collaborates efficiently and effectively while consistently demonstrating professionalism and maintaining positive, respectful relationships with internal teams, external partners, and Tribal members.

· Other duties as directed by management.

LEVEL OF AUTHORITY & RESTRICTIONS

· This position requires working independently without overseeing others, with minimal authority in decision-making.

PHYSICAL & MENTAL DEMANDS

· Must be able to walk, talk, hear, use hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms.

· Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

· May be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry up to 40 pounds.

· Requires the ability to manage moderate levels of stress arising from schedules, workload, diverse or adversarial stakeholders, etc.

WORKING CONDITIONS & ENVIRONMENT

· Moderate noise level with frequent interruptions and distractions.

· Regular exposure to biohazardous material including blood, body fluids, and blood-borne pathogens; strict adherence to OSHA standards and infection control protocols is required.

· Frequent exposure to communicable diseases, medicinal preparations, disinfectants, and other substances commonly found in a healthcare environment.

· Potential exposure to hazardous materials, including laboratory reagents, industrial cleaning agents, and limited ionizing radiation, depending on assigned work location.

· Position requires consistent use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, gowns, masks, face shields, or other protective barriers as appropriate.

· Work is performed in a clinical healthcare setting, including exam rooms, treatment areas, and medical offices.

WORK LOCATION

1245 Fulton Ave.

Coos Bay, Oregon 97420

HOURS

Part-Time: 10-20 hours a week