Dental Hygienist

ZCCHC is located on the Zuni Pueblo, about 150 miles west of Albuquerque, NM in a beautiful high desert landscape. We serve a very traditional and rural Native population of about 14,000 with about 60% of our patients coming from the Zuni Tribe and 40% from the surrounding Navajo Community. Both Tribes have wonderfully intact cultures, and the Zuni and Navajo languages, customs, and religious practices are a part of everyday life. ZCCHC strives to care for the entire community in a holistic, strength-based way by providing full-spectrum Family Medicine, including 24-7 emergency care, primary care, inpatient care (with a typical census of 5-15), OB care, and specialty care (i.e., psychiatry, dental, optometry, physical therapy, and podiatry.)

Objective. To provide professional health care services to the ZCCHC Dental Department. Professional judgement is required to prevent delays in service provision to avoid adverse impact on the health status of population served. Major Duties and Responsibilities: Provides dental hygiene services in advanced Prophylactic and preventative dental procedures in the treatment of patients with periodontal disease and other related dental abnormalities. Completes preliminary dental examinations on new and current dental service patients. Reviews patient medical records and dental history for evidence of past and present conditions for proper dental treatment.

Inspects mouth and throat for evidence of oral cancer, cavities, calculus, and deep periodontal pockets. Reviews and interprets x-rays to identify tooth structures. Refers abnormalities of cavities, traumatic occlusion and suspicious lesions to the Dentist. Prepares dental hygiene treatment plans for the patient, which includes assessment of the problem, type of oral hygiene and appointments to complete treatment in accordance to the dentist recommendations. Performs a complete oral prophylaxis including scaling and root planning on ambulatory and non-ambulatory patients. Shall have ability to administer local anesthesia to and per requirement of treatment. Instructs patients at chairside in oral hygiene, brushing and flossing treatment and periodontal aids. Perform various other dental procedures as directed by the supervising dentist. Consultant to other health care professionals in developing appropriate and comprehensive health care plans for patients. Provides direct patient care through evaluation and treatment programs including instruction to patients and their families in specific ways to facilitate more effective communication or eat in the home. Independently manage his/her own caseload of patient referred for Dental evaluation and treatment. Shall use judgment in selecting instruments and determining the type and length of hygiene treatment appropriate for individual patients. Documentation in the electronic health record, other IHS forms related to each patient encounter in a timely manner, as well as providing necessary documentation related to billing. Maintains satisfactory standards of competence in this profession (professional judgement, diagnosis for specific medical conditions or treatment). Shall abide by ZCCHC mandatory policies and procedures and attend any mandatory training requirements provided by ZCCHC. Physical demands, may require long periods of standing and recurring bending and reaching. Knowledge of oral anatomy, oral physiology and the principles and techniques of preventive dentistry. This is a non-supervisory position.

Work Schedule: The Dental hours are between 7:30 AM to 05:30 PM.

There are two tours: 07:30 AM– 05:00 PM and 08:00 AM to 05:30 PM.

PM21

To be considered applicants must be received by 2/22/2023 send proof of degree, license and 3 references - just names, phone/email and how they know you.

Graduate: Degree in Dental Hygienist. Shall have graduated from an accredited school of Dentistry. ·

License/Registration: State License to practice Dental Hygienist and in good standing in the United States or any US territories as required by I.H.S.

Experience: that equips the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled.

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