Public Health Dental Hygiene Practitioner

POSITION SUMMARY:The Public Health Dental Hygiene Practitioner is responsible for performing dental measures designed to preserve teeth and prevent the spread of oral disease, providing education services, and maintaining records of dental treatment without direct supervision of a dentist. Part-time applicants are encouraged to apply; hours and days are negotiable.DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES- Performs dental measures designed to preserve teeth and prevent the spread of oral disease by performing the following duties without authorization, assignment, or examination by a dentist: Performs topical fluoride treatmentsScreens and evaluates patients for dental caries, periodontal disease, and medical historyPerforms supra and sub-gingival scaling and curettage; performs root planningPerforms gross debridement in treatment of acute periodontal conditionsConditioning of teeth for and application of dental sealantsInitiates dental prevention/dental educationPerforms oral cancer screeningsAnalyzes dental records and formulates effective therapeutic treatment plansPerforms oral radiographyProvides timely responses to patient and NSCHC employee inquiriesAssists in training of dental assistants and new dental hygienistsCompletes thorough and timely clinical documentation in EMRRefers each patient to a licensed dentist on an annual basis and maintains documentation of the referral in patient's dental recordConsistently practices universal precautionsParticipates in health promotion, education, prevention programsAdministers local anesthesia by regional injection in accordance with Pa. Code 33.115 Maintains instrumentation for dental hygiene treatment by sharpening, sterilizing, and selecting instrumentsAssists in ordering dental supplies and materialsProvides reminders of next hygiene visit to patients and manages clinic's recall systemTravels to Health Center's satellite office to provide dental services and transports necessary equipment and instruments for these servicesResponsible for all care and cleaning of dental equipment and service facility area at satellite clinic and off-siteCollaborates with medical and behavioral health staff to provide interdisciplinary care to patientsAssists with emergency measures for sudden adverse developments during treatment of patientsPerforms all other related duties as assigned and reacts positively to change Meets professional behavior expectations as evidenced by compliance with the following standards: Serves as role model for all employees, displaying professional courtesy and compassionate care of patientsMeets professional behavioral expectations of attendance, appearance, professionalism, communicationDemonstrates an ability to resolve interpersonal and professional conflicts appropriatelyParticipates in staff meetings, trainings, and committeesKeeps all matters related to the organization confidential in compliance with confidentiality policyAssumes responsibility for work performance and is able to be self-directedTakes pride in job performance as evident in compliance with job responsibilities Works evenings and weekends as scheduledAvailable for meetings during scheduled administrative time [denotes essential job functions] KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/EXPERIENCE- Must be a licensed Public Health Dental Hygiene Practitioner eligible to practice in the State of Pennsylvania Must have current knowledge of and practice experience in dental hygiene Public health orientation through training, experience, or professional interest Current BCLS certification Current Radiology certification Current OSHA/HIPAA certification Act 34 , Act 34 , Act 73 . Must have own reliable transportation, good driving record, and car insurance PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/DEMANDS- Prolonged sitting and/or standing and moving about throughout the workday Potential exposure to biohazardous materials, including ionizing radiation Requires vision and hearing in normal range Requires dexterity to type 40 wpm and use of telephone and computer

Created: 2026-03-10