Dental Hygienist

Overview The Dental Hygienist promotes dental health by completing dental prophylaxis, providing oral cancer screening and radiographic studies; charting conditions of decay and disease; performing procedures in compliance with the dental practice act. Qualifications * Graduate of an accredited Dental Hygienist program. * Currently licensed as a Dental Hygienist in the state of Georgia. * At least 2 years clinical experience. * Current CPR certification. (BCLS) by AHA * Proper use of Dental Technology, Dental Health Maintenance, Infection Control. * Excellent communication, organizational and customer service skills. Responsibilities * Prepare treatment room for patient by adhering to prescribed procedures and protocols. * Prepare patient for dental hygiene treatment by welcoming, soothing, seating, and draping patient. * Provide information to patients and employees by answering questions and requests. * Maintain instruments for dental hygiene treatment by sharpening, sterilizing, and selection instruments. * Select materials and equipment for dental hygiene visit by evaluating patient's oral health. * Complete dental prophylaxis by cleaning deposits and stains from teeth and from gum margins. * Detect disease by completing oral cancer screening; feeling and visually examining gums; using probes to locate periodontal disease and to assess levels of recession; exposing and developing radiographic studies. * Arrest dental decay by applying fluorides and other cavity-preventing agents. * Maintain patient appearance and ability to masticate by fabricating temporary restorations; cleaning and polishing removable appliances; placing, carving and finishing amalgam restorations; removing cement from crowns and bridges. * Perform periodontal probing and charting, scaling and root paining, and full mouth debridements. * Help dentist manage dental and medical emergencies by maintaining CPR certification, emergency drugs and oxygen supply, and directory of emergency numbers. * Educate patients by giving oral hygiene and plaque control instructions and post operative instructions; providing reminders of time of next dental hygienist visit. * Document dental hygiene services by recording vital signs and medical and dental histories; charting in EMR. * Maintain strict patient confidentiality by adhering to all HIPAA rules and regulations. * Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; completing professional CEUs; establishing personal networks.

Created: 2026-04-15