Dental Hygienist

Under the supervision of the Oral Health Team Supervisor, provides preventative oral health services primarily for underserved children and occasionally for adults. Services are provided on a 40-foot mobile dental unit called Miles of Smiles and in the school setting with portable equipment.  This position communicates and coordinates with volunteers, school administrators, and other collaborative agencies.  In addition to clinical services, the dental hygienist performs administrative duties and educational outreach.  Maintenance of the mobile dental unit and portable equipment is also part of the job responsibilities.  

This position is a 24 hour work week (.6 FTE) with a somewhat flexible schedule. The work location will be based at the James St. Campus, in Holland but the work will be performed out in the community.The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Delivers preventive oral health care, assessments, and early treatment of dental disease to eligible children through the "Miles of Smiles" mobile dental clinic and in the school setting.
2. Performs administrative functions, prepares charts, reviews eligibility status, creates schedules and records treatment data. 
3. Provides digital x-rays for patients on the mobile unit. 
4. Teaches patients proper oral hygiene techniques. 
5. Recruits, schedules, trains and provides work direction for volunteers and dental hygiene students. 
6. Maintains volunteer records, ensuring that volunteers have valid licenses to practice and, as appropriate and required; sign and date confidentiality agreements; and complete annual OSHA/MIOSHA training and continuing education required to maintain licenses. 
7. Orders and stocks the mobile unit with all required instruments, equipment, and operating supplies for each site visit. 
8. Drives mobile unit or sets up portable equipment for clinic days. Ensures unit receives scheduled preventative maintenance. 
9. Participates in the development of grants to provide new and innovative services to underserved target populations through the mobile oral health unit. 
10. Collects, compiles, creates, and analyzes quality assurance data. Prepares reports for internal and external stakeholders and funding sources.
11. Develops and provides oral health presentations for adults and children in Ottawa County.
12. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Graduation from an accredited dental hygiene program combined with three years of clinical experience.

 Licenses and Certifications:
 Must possess and maintain valid State of Michigan Dental Hygienist license.
 
 Must possess or be willing to obtain and maintain a Valid State of Michigan Class B Commercial Driver's License.

Ottawa County will pay for the Commercial Driver's License test and training if needed.Required Knowledge and Skills:

1. Thorough working knowledge of methods and techniques used in dental hygiene.
2. Thorough working knowledge of preventive dentistry and soft tissue management.
3. Thorough working knowledge of standard practices and procedures for applying preventive fluoride varnish and pit and fissure sealant materials to teeth.
4. Thorough working knowledge of the terminology, materials, equipment, and instruments used in dentistry.
5. Working knowledge of dental radiograph techniques and principles.
6. Knowledge of public health practices and techniques and principles.
7. Knowledge of the principles of early childhood education and their application in the prevention of oral disease.
8. Good working knowledge of statutory and regulatory requirements including the Michigan Public Health Code, OSHA/MIOSHA rules and regulations for oral health practitioners, bloodborne pathogens protocols and HIPPA.
9. Thorough working knowledge of medical ethical practice standards.
10. Computer literacy, including good user knowledge of word-processing, spreadsheet and database management applications software and Internet search engines.
11. Ability to interact positively with patients and their families, co-workers, oral health care practitioners, school administrators and staff, community representatives, and members of the public from widely diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds and with varying levels of interpersonal and communications skills.

 Physical Requirements:

1. Must have sufficient manual dexterity to operate radiology equipment and use dental instruments.
2. Must have sufficient visual acuity with or without corrective lenses to qualify for a Commercial Driver's License.
3. Must possess sufficient auditory acuity with or without audiological appliances to qualify for a Commercial Driver's License.
4. Must have sufficient strength and mobility to steer and control commercial vehicles.
5. Must be able to ascend to and descend from the cab of the mobile unit.
6. Must be able to transport, set up and tear down equipment weighing up to 40 lbs in order to stock and set up mobile oral health unit examination rooms.

 
 Working Conditions:
 Work is performed in schools, childcare centers, migrant education centers and other facilities throughout the county. Delivery of prophylactic oral health care to patients entails the risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens and other disease vectors. Employee must frequently load and unload equipment from the mobile oral health unit and set-up and tear-down equipment.

Disclaimer: 
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. 

Salary : $33 - $43