Dental Hygienist Rathke Family DentistryHuntsville, TX 77340Rathke Family Dentistry, P.C.
Dental Hygienist
We are a relationship-based general dentistry practice in Huntsville, TX, seeking to improve the overall health of our patients. We work at a moderate pace to be individually attentive to each patient's needs and best interests. We value a positive and supportive work environment for our team members, and look forward to coming to work each day.
Reports to: Dentist
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsible for providing hygiene treatment to patients
Contribute to a positive, friendly, and caring office culture in order to best provide relationship-based dental services to our patients.
SPECIFIC DUTIES
Patient Management
Review daily schedule at morning huddle for hygiene patients
Work with front office personnel to schedule hygiene patients with efficiency
Review patient health and dental history forms and update as necessary
Accurately chart each patient’s periodontal health
Perform thorough and gentle prophylaxis to patients
Perform scaling, root planing, and selective polishing for patients as appropriate
Place medicaments subgingivally (under the gumline) for periodontal disease treatment
Take radiographs of patients as prescribed by dentist
Apply cavity-preventative agents, such as fluorides
Communicate with patients in an understandable and professional way
Check on patient comfort during treatment and help allay patient anxiety
Accurately and appropriately record provided treatment
Teach proper oral hygiene techniques to patients
Counsel patients on oral health, including the role of nutrition
Perform other tasks assigned by the dentist
Treatment Room Management and Sterilization
Check treatment room for cleanliness and make necessary changes
Check and turn on treatment room equipment
Review patient charts for the day
Clean treatment room at the end of the day and turn off equipment
Maintain a supply inventory for hygiene treatment
Review, select and submit orders for patient education materials for the practice
Submit supply orders once a month or as necessary
Properly discard all disposable items from each visit
Assemble soiled instruments and place in sterilization area
Clean treatment room surfaces with disinfectant solution
Pre-soak soiled instruments in a disinfectant
Sort and package instruments by tray for proper sterilization
Load, activate, and vent the sterilization unit according to manufacturer’s directions
Store instruments and trays in appropriate places
Records Management
Securely store and handle patient records in compliance with office policies and procedures and applicable legal requirements, such as the HIPAA privacy and security regulations
Accurately record medical and dental histories
Accurately file patient information
Assist in the administration of the recare system
Office Participation
Be an active participant in team meetings and morning huddles
Promote team concept by interacting with others in the office
PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS
Education/Experience
Must be licensed to practice in state and meet other applicable state requirements
Must have completed at least 2 years of post-secondary education from an accredited dental hygiene program
Experience providing prophylaxis, periodontal therapy, and taking X-rays
Computer skills – basic skills, typing, Dentrix, Windows
Interpersonal
Good interpersonal skills to maintain effective rapport with patients, dentists and coworkers
Effective verbal skills to communicate with patients and staff