Registered Dental Hygienist

DENTAL HYGIENIST

SITE OF SERVICE: 

·        US Naval Hospital Guam and associated branch clinics

POSITION QUALIFICATION/REQUIREMENTS:

·        Degree: Associates Degree or Bachelor’s Degree depending on the program.

·        Education: Successful completion of a dental hygiene program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) of the American Dental Association (ADA).

·        Certification: Certified in radiography as required by 42 CFR Part 75.

·        Experience: Shall be required to demonstrate 3 years of full-time experience within the last 5 years as a dental Hygienist in a clinical facility of similar size or complexity.

·        License: Current, full, active, and unrestricted license to practice as a Dental Hygienist in any one of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam or the U.S. Virgin Islands.

·        Other Certification: Must have the following hands-on certification through the American Heart Association or American Red Cross

o Basic Life Support (BLS)

·        U.S. Citizenship: HCWs performing under this contract shall be U.S. citizens.

·        Able to read, write, and speak English well enough to effectively communicate.

·        Shall be physically capable of standing and/or sitting for extended periods of time and physically capable of performing all services required.

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

·        Inspect head and neck, examine mouth, throat and pharynx for evidence of disease such as oral cancer and/or soft tissue pathosis.

·        Expose, develop and interpret radiographs to identify tooth structure, periodontal support and other abnormalities such as periodontal bone loss, periapical pathosis, caries, defective restorations, improper tooth contours and contact relationships.

·        Refer suspected medical conditions, hard and soft tissue abnormalities, caries, periapical and periodontal pathosis and traumatic or suspicious lesions to the dental officer for evaluation.

·        Obtain blood pressure on patients presenting for treatment.

·        Perform subgingival scaling, root planning and curettage under local anesthesia administered by a dental officer and perform topical fluoride applications.

·        Plan and adapt oral home care techniques to the specific need of the individual patient.

·        Monitor, provide technical direction and assist in training dental technicians involved in direct patient care to perform scaling, prophylaxes, polishing procedures, fluoride applications and oral home care instructions. This may include preparing and presenting scheduled lectures to staff.

·        Maintain a record of patient treatment and number of patients treated.

·        Record oral condition of teeth and supporting tissues, type of therapy provided and progress notes.

·        Clean and maintain instruments and ensure their sterility.

·        Treat acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis.

·        Assist in Oral Diagnosis Sick call to include exposing and developing periapical, bitewing and panoramic radiographs.

·        Clean and maintain the work area to meet the clinic's standards, and may be assigned other duties as directed by the Commanding Officer, consistent with the normal duties of a dental hygienist.

·        Administration of local anesthesia (infiltration and block anesthesia) is not a required qualification; however, if the appropriate background training and credentials exist, clinical privileges may be granted.

CORE DUTIES:

·        Examine patient's oral cavity to include mouth, throat, and pharynx, and record conditions of teeth and surrounding tissues. Refer patients to dentist who have abnormalities to include cavities, defective fillings, suspicious growths, or periodontal disease.

·        Apply desensitizing and other topical agents to treat abnormalities to include caries prevention, gingivitis and oral ulceration.

·        Instruct patients, individually and in groups, in proper oral hygiene care using materials to include teeth models, displays, slides, toothbrushes, dental floss, disclosing tablets and mirrors. Demonstrate proper techniques of brushing, flossing, and use of necessary periodontal aids. Explain the common causes of tooth decay and its relationship to general diet.

·        Take impressions and construct sports/safety mouth guards and soft night guards for vital bleaching.

·        Polish restorations and apply pit and fissure sealants.

·        Chair side dental assisting when directed by the Officer-In-Charge of the dental clinic.

·        Record patients treated. Check and maintain instruments to insure working condition. Clean, sharpen, and sterilize instruments.

·        Patient Workload, Readiness, and Scheduling. Utilizes the Corporate Dental Application to enter patient specific workload and readiness status and also for patient scheduling.

HOURS:

·        Services shall be provided Monday through Friday, between the hours of 0700 and 1600 hours.

·        Shifts will normally be scheduled for an 8.5 to 9 hour period, to include an uncompensated 30 to 60 minute lunch break, respectively.

·        In no instance will the HCW be required to provide services in excess of 80 hours per two-week period.

 

Base Down Days:

·        During a planned closure of the facility due to training, closures before or after holidays family down days, Employee will only be compensated for the actual hours worked. If clinic is closed and employee is not able to work, employee will be required to use leave or take LWOP (without penalty). 

 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS/SKILLS

 

Must be comfortable in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Must be able and willing to reprioritize on short notice and work on multiple simultaneous projects. Flexible and able to work with various personalities. Team work skills required. Time management skills required. The ability to meet deadlines in a deadline intensive environment is essential. High level of adaptability and willingness to embrace change in a fast-paced, demanding environment.

LUKE is an Equal Opportunity employer. 

To learn more about LUKE, please visit our website at:http://www.lukestaffing.com