Volunteer Dental Hygienist

       
GENERAL SUMMARY OF DUTIES: Responsible for providing professional dental hygiene care to clinic patients under supervision of dental staff.

**Volunteers with any of the following experience or skills are encouraged to apply and discuss how he/she can best assist the clinic.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Reports to Office Manager, but also takes direction from volunteer and/or staff dentists.

NEEDED FUNCTIONS:

1.	Assesses patient's general condition and takes appropriate vital signs.
2.	Assists dentists with examinations, diagnostic procedures and treatments.   
3.	Provides dental hygiene care to patients including prophy, scale, curettage, root planing, polish, fluoride treatments; take study models/identification models as needed; expose, develop, and mount X-rays.
4.	Fulfills patient documentation responsibilities which may include:  reviewing medical history and updating in the chart; charting findings from an oral cancer exam; charting dental conditions including decay, restorations, and missing teeth; charting gingival conditions including bleeding, recession, and missing teeth; checking schedules and organizing patient flow.  Relays all findings to the Dentist and the patient.
5.	Documents all activities/interventions, patient/family responses, medication dispensed/prescribed, etc., in the medical record; sends and obtains patient medical/dental records if needed.
6.	Promotes wellness by providing patient education materials and communicating dentist’s advice / instructions.  Educates patient on brushing tongue and teeth, flossing, rinsing, gum disease, and nutrition.
7.	Fulfills environmental responsibilities as assigned which may include:  setting up instruments and equipment according to clinic protocol; cleaning exam/procedure rooms and instruments between patient visits to maintain infection control; reporting any repairs that are needed.
8.	Adheres to infection control, safety protocols per OSHA guidelines, and confidentiality policies per HIPAA guidelines.

The job holder must demonstrate current competencies applicable to job position.

EDUCATION:  Graduate of an accredited RDH program.

EXPERIENCE: Minimum of one year RDH experience; clinic experience preferred.

REQUIREMENTS: State RDH license.

KNOWLEDGE:

1.	Knowledge of professional dental hygiene regulations and practices to give and evaluate patient care.
2.	Knowledge of policies and procedures related to infection control, environmental safety and patient confidentiality.
3.	Knowledge of dental chart reporting/records.

SKILLS:

1.	Skill in appropriate assessment and assistance techniques.
2.	Skill in tact and diplomacy in interpersonal interactions.
3.	Skill in appropriate use of universal precautions, safe workplace and HIPAA protocols.
4.	Skill in health information management by appropriately charting patient data.
5.	Skill in understanding patient education needs and effective sharing of information to patients/families of diverse backgrounds.

ABILITIES:

1.	Ability to work effectively as team members with dentists and other staff, communicating clearly and effectively. 
2.	Ability to plan, prioritize and complete delegated tasks.
3.	Ability to appropriately interact with patients, families, staff and others. 
4.	Ability to flexibly respond to changing demands, and react calmly and effectively in emergency situations. 
5.	Ability to demonstrate compassion and caring in dealing with others in a way that supports the center’s mission to spread the love of Christ through quality healthcare to those in need.

ENVIRONMENTAL & WORKING CONDITIONS: 
•	Combination of exam rooms and dental offices. Frequent exposure to communicable diseases, toxic substances, ionizing radiation, medicinal preparations and other conditions common to a clinic environment. 
•	 This position is classified as a Category 1 position under OSHA guidelines with high risk of exposure to blood-borne pathogens and other potentially infectious materials. 

PHYSICAL & MENTAL DEMANDS: Must be able to exert up to 40 pounds of force occasionally and to lift 40 pounds.  Requires standing and walking for extensive periods of time. Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range. Requires working under stress in emergency situations and occasional irregular hours.
1.	Standing:  30% of the workday
2.	Sitting:  40% of the workday
3.	Walking:  20% of the workday
4.	Lifting:  10% of the workday

This description is intended to provide only basic guidelines for meeting job requirements. Responsibilities, knowledge. skills. abilities and working conditions may change as needs evolve.