This highly motivated and positive individual assists in the prevention and treatment of oral disease, focusing on periodontal health by monitoring oral hygiene practices and assisting the patient to develop a home care plan to maintain their oral health. A dental hygienist can also give specific advice on prevention, nutrition, use of fluoride and smoking cessation. Contact our Fort Lauderdale office for more information on how to become a part of our top-notch professional team at Premiere Smile Center.
Key Tasks
The requirements listed below are representative, but not all inclusive, of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
- Set up and prepare surgery before the start of each session when working without a nurse
- Provide dental health education about tooth care and diet
- Remove plaque and calculus by scaling and polishing teeth
- Take impressions and/or dental radiographs of teeth as required
- Apply prophylactic/antibacterial materials, fissure sealants and topical fluorides to help prevent tooth decay
- Carry out screening and monitoring procedures
- Treat and help prevent gingivitis and periodontitis
- Ensure that sterile conditions are maintained
- Clean and sterilize all equipment and working surfaces to the required standards at the end of each session
- Use a range of different dental instruments
- Maintain patient dental records; update all medical records as necessary
- Take all reasonable methods to ensure patient comfort
- Report equipment failures or breakages to the principle or practice manager, so that action may be taken to remedy any defects
- Follow Health & Safety guidelines in all aspects including when taking x-rays, handling mercury, disposing of sharp and clinical waste, resuscitation, emergency procedures and fire drill
- Offer advice and encouragement to patients
- Follow all practice policies and procedures
- Obey all dental ethical guidelines including all rules on confidentiality and Data Protection
Required Qualifications
- High school diploma or GED
- A two-year Diploma in Dental Hygiene or three-year Oral Health Science Degree
- Experience using computers and MS Office Experience working in surgery
- Must be a people person with a great attitude and attention to detail
- Any extra courses taken relevant to dentistry
- Registered Hygienist