Address
Form of workWhat our employees, and your potential colleagues, love about working here:
- Being able to provide services to clients who mention not previously having treatment access.
- Building trust within their session and making breakthroughs with patients & in turn the community.
- Working alongside tenured colleagues.
- Opportunities for career growth and development.
SUMMARY
Provide quality dental care and associated services to patients under the general supervision of a dentist and using established dental hygiene procedures. Assist other staff in a variety of patient care, office, and laboratory duties. Perform broad responsibilities for clinic and community dental health education activities.
- Scheduled Hours: 40 hours per week
- Monday 12pm- 8pm
- Tuesday - Friday, 8a-4p
- Improve the oral health of patients through the delivery of periodontal therapies and other dental hygiene-related services
- Enhance the efficiency of the clinic by performing expanded duties as allowable by law and as directed by the dentist.
- Ensure all patients enjoy a positive experience and are treated with the care and compassion expected. Ensure all patient records and related documentation are managed and maintained timely, accurately, and consistent with all HIPAA and related regulations and requirements.
- Ensure all tasks provided and associated with patient care, patient administrative processes, and related duties, comply with all regulatory and accreditation standards, as well as clinic policies and procedures.
- Ensure direct patient care is delivered using established dental hygiene procedures.
- Develop favorable relationships with all patients. Interact positively with patients to provide information and education about oral hygiene, and handle and resolve patient concerns with enthusiasm and empathy.
- Establish favorable working relationships with all staff members and associated with clinic operations, including Patient Customer Reps (PCR), dental assistants, dentists, and related staff. This shall also include the Practice Manager, Charge Nurse, and the Dental Office Manager.
- Uphold and consistently represent the values and mission of the organization at all times. Represent the organization in a highly professional manner at all times.
- Ensure compliance and attention to all corporate policies and procedures.
- Complete continuing education as necessary to retain state license.
- Provide direct patient care and dental services as trained, licensed, and assigned. Assess the dental condition and needs of the patient using approved patient screening procedures, including medical history review, dental charting, and periodontal charting.
- Evaluate overall oral health, examining the oral cavity for signs of periodontal disease or possible cancers, including recessed and bleeding gums, and oral lesions.
- Expose intraoral and extra-oral dental radiographs.
- Document dental history or chief complaint; record and report pertinent observations and patient reactions to dentists, as appropriate.
- Document lab procedures and ensure follow-up on results.
- Follow through with oral hygiene procedures in accordance with treatment plans prescribed by the attending dentist. Procedures may include Prophylaxis, periodontal scaling, root planning, debridement, supra and subgingival scaling and curettage, application of fluoride treatments, and application of protective sealants.
- Assist with or initiate emergency measures for sudden adverse developments during the treatment of patients.
- Conduct dental health clinics for community groups to augment the services of dentists.
- Help patients feel comfortable before, during, and after dental treatment.
- Educate patients in oral hygiene and dental care, including proper tooth brushing, flossing, nutrition, and need for professional care.
- Demonstrate commitment to the mission of the organization in promoting dental health.
- Interact positively with a diverse, sometimes difficult, and demanding patient population. Provide service in a manner that is appropriate for the patient's age; demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to meet the patient's physical, psychosocial, educational, and safety needs.
- Read, write, and maintain patient records and related administrative documentation.
- Utilize the requisite tools, systems, technology, and equipment in the collection of patient data, records, management, and collections.
- Maintain a recall system with the EHR/EDR system.
- Utilization of intraoral camera in clinical documentation.
- Provide oral hygiene care in an integrated clinical environment.
- Provide dental services at multiple Community Health Center locations. May also engage in community-based activities within the county as related to oral health education and oral health promotions.
- Assist in instrument processing and sterilization, in accordance with the standard guidelines set forth by the agency.
Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Successful completion of an accredited Dental Hygienist program
Current Registered Dental Hygienist with state licensure.
Current CPR certification in BLS
Certification to administer local anesthesia is preferred.
Experience
- Demonstrated success with clear thinking and the ability to reorganize as needed.
- Demonstrated success in working independently, prioritization, and problem-solving.
- Demonstrated success in organizational abilities.
- Demonstrated success in computer skills including the ability to use computers for scheduling, dental records, and digital X-rays
- Demonstrated success in customer service or working with the general public, preferably in a medical care facility.
- Demonstrated success in managing difficult customer/patient situations.
- Significant knowledge of dental practices and procedures
- Demonstrated success and experience with direct patient services and the proper knowledge and use of dental devices and equipment.
As the largest human service provider in Lake County, we believe that services must be available without barriers. No residents are turned away due to the inability to pay. We believe in providing services in an environment of mutual respect, free of discrimination or bias. Whether assuring accessible and effective care, impacting policy, or assessing and monitoring risks, the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center has been an essential part of the public health system in Lake County for 60 years.
As a public health department, we believe in the science, data, and power of vaccines, like the influenza vaccine, to protect against and prevent illness. Therefore, we require all Health Department staff to receive the annual influenza vaccine unless they have an approved medical or religious exemption.
Any offer of employment is conditioned on the successful completion of a background screening, drug and alcohol testing and may include a pre-employment medical exam.
The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other protected characteristics. At this time, you must reside in either Illinois or Wisconsin to work for the Lake County Health Department.
