Location: Monroe,NC, USA
General Statement
The Dental Hygienist, under general supervision of a licensed dentist, performs dental services following established protocols and office routines and in the Union County Division of Public Health serving adults, indigent children, and children with Medicaid.
Public Health is responsible for preparedness activities in the event of a natural disaster, disease outbreak, and other threats to the health of the public. Employees in this classification participate in preparedness response activities which may include mass vaccination clinics, sheltering, and/or other needed response activities as directed.
Essential Functions
Assists the public health dentist in performing dental services. Patient care services are usually performed using established protocols and office routines.
Examines teeth of patients and makes referrals to dentist if special professional care is indicated, applies topical fluorides and performs dental prophylaxis in the prevention of dental disease, records findings and maintains records on dental status and services rendered to patients, instructs patients on the proper care of teeth and recommends measures for the prevention of dental disease, and assists the dentist in planning and carrying out dental health programs.
Provides dental education to patient and parents on oral hygiene during clinic visits.
Assists with community dental health programs using volunteers to provide education in day care centers and other community sites.
Has considerable knowledge of and skill in the application of the techniques and practices of dental hygiene.
Secures the cooperation of the patient and elicits required information.
Understands and follows oral and written instructions, and to interpret and maintain records and reports.
Deals tactfully with the public and to exercise good judgment in appraising situations and making decisions.
Works with other professional and support personnel in the performance of duties typical of the dental hygienist and assisting with other duties which may be of a lesser complexity.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:
Associate's Degree in dental hygiene.
Licenses or Certifications:
Licensed to practice as a dental hygienist in North Carolina.
Special Requirements:
In order to perform work in this role, within (30) thirty days of employment you must provide immunization records, provide proof of immunity, or receive/start the required vaccination series, as applicable, along with complying with any necessary screenings, as required by the Union County Division of Public Health and its Healthcare Personnel Immunization and Tuberculosis Screening Policy, in accordance with applicable law.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:
Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university in dental hygiene; and one (1) year of experience in dental hygiene, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Licenses or Certifications:
Licensed to practice as a dental hygienist in North Carolina.
Special Requirements:
Bilingual Spanish.
Supplemental Information
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment including computers, typewriters, copiers, radios, fax machines, calculators, printers, etc. Must be able to exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. Light Work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree. However, if the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed in a dynamic environment that requires the need to be sensitive to change and responsive to changing goals, priorities, and needs.