Dental Hygienist

Reports to: Dental Director

Work Hours: Monday-Thursday 8am-5pm Fridays 8am-12pm (Fridays are Optional)

Education and Experience:

• Graduation from an accredited dental hygiene school
• Ability to maintain appropriate clinical privileges and current Kansas State License
• Clinical dental hygiene experience preferred
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills
• Able to obtain FTCA coverage or private professional malpractice insurance
• Ability to relate to the patient base regardless of ethnic, religious or economic status

Position Description:

The Dental Hygienist is primarily responsible for promoting dental health by completing dental prophylaxis, providing oral cancer screenings, taking radiographs, charting conditions of decay and disease, and performing other dental hygiene procedures in compliance with the Kansas Dental Practice Act for patients of Health Ministries Clinic and its various dental outreach programs.

Key duties and responsibilities:

• Prepares treatment room for patient by adhering to Infection Prevention Guidelines (HMC).
• Reviews Medical history before each procedure. Properly updates Medical history.
• Prepares patient for dental hygiene by welcoming, soothing, seating and draping patient.
• Maintains instrumentation for dental hygiene treatment through proper sharpening.
• Selects materials and proper armamentarium for dental hygiene visit by evaluating patient's oral health.
• Completes dental prophylaxis by cleaning plaque, calculus and stain from teeth.
• Completes scaling/root planing procedures with appropriate anesthesia, ultrasonics and curettes to remove supragingival plaque and calculus, subgingival plaque and calculus, and smoothen roots, removing diseased cementum to the depth of the gingival sulci. As a side effect: gingival curettage.
• Detects disease by completing oral cancer screening; palpating and visually examining lips, buccal mucosa, sides of tongue, tonsillar pillars, floor of mouth, hard palate and soft palate.
• Accurately probes recession, pocket depth, pseudo pocket measurements (gingival overgrowth, i.e., "negative" recession), bleeding and purulence on adult patients over the age of 18 once per year.
• Ensures each adult patient has a FMS or panoramic radiograph once every 5 years.
• Applies fluoride varnish or fluoride gel routinely on pediatric patients 17 and below.
• Helps dentist manage dental and medical emergencies by maintaining CPR certification
• Educates patients on disease processes and how to provide proper personal oral hygiene.
• Documents dental hygiene services, medical and dental histories and charting in patient records.
• Maintains patient confidentiality; adheres to HMC's HIPPA policies.
• Maintains a safe and clean operatory and cabinet.
• Follows all pertainable aspects of the Kansas Dental Practice Act. The Kansas Dental Practice Act is viewable online at the Kansas Dental Board website.
• Protects patients, self, and fellow employees by adhering to Infection Prevention Guidelines (HMC)
• Properly maintains equipment, informing Dental Director of malfunctions and safety issues.
• Helps in Sterilization Room when needed, following Infection Prevention Guidelines (HMC)
• Conserves dental resources by using equipment and supplies as needed to accomplish job results.
• Maintains professional and current technical knowledge.
• Coordinates various dental outreach programs, including schools and nursing homes, as directed by the Dental Director.

Located in Newton, KS, Health Ministries Clinic is a high-functioning Community Health Center (FQHC) that seeks to promote and improve the quality of life by providing integrated healthcare services accessible to everyone in the communities we serve. We have a robust payor mix that reflects our community as a whole and maintain a commitment to serve all patients regardless of their ability to pay. We operate three main clinical service lines: Medical, Behavioral Health, and Dental. We also offer an extensive array of in-house ancillary clinical services such as Pharmacy, Lab, and Diagnostic Imaging (CT, X-ray, Dexa) not typically found in most outpatient clinic settings. Additional assistive services include transportation, on-site Spanish interpreting, case managers, care coordinators, diabetic education, and patient ambassadors. Our close-knit, compassionate team collaborates to deliver high-quality healthcare to our patients.

Our Midwest location boosts the best of two worlds, allowing you to enjoy rural and metropolitan living. We are located 20 minutes from a national airport and have several public schools, private schools, and nearby colleges and universities. We have four true seasons. Our central location allows accessible travel opportunities no matter where you want to go. With an overall cost of living 11% lower than the national average and housing 32% lower than the national average, this is a very livable (and we think great) part of the country.

Salary : $34 - $43