Dental Hygienist

Open Door Health Services is hiring a Dental Hygienist for our Dental Clinic located in our main location, 333 S. Madison Street downtown Muncie, Indiana. Under the direction of the Dentist the Hygienist will provide professional dental hygiene care for clinic patients following established standards, practices, and protocols. Upholds our Mission, Vision and Values.

Responsibilities (How this position enhances our Mission, Vision, and Values)

Mission – Improve the Quality of Life of Others:
Recommends community resources to meet patient and family needs.
Educates patients on oral hygiene, oral cancer, periodontal disease, diet, smoke cessation.

Vision – ODHS preferred partner in East Central Indiana for improving the well-being of individuals and the communities in which they live:
Provides monitoring and continuity of care between clinic visits as required.
Provides local anesthesia to dental hygiene and dental patients as needed.
Remains current in advanced practice changes within area, and where relevant, translates these findings into clinical practice.
Obtains complete dental history and physical data on patients.
Obtains preliminary dental history, makes observations, assessments and records appropriate findings.
Prepares patient for the complete dental examination by the dentist.
Maintains and reviews patients’ records, charts, and other pertinent information.
Interviews and advises patients regarding dental hygiene, tooth decay prevention, gum disease, etc.

Values – Esteem the Team, Maximize Potential, Do the Right Thing, Choose Compassion, Encourage Uniqueness:
Scales teeth.
Refers patients as appropriate.
Follows infection control guidelines and ensures adherence to OSHA and CLIA protocols due to potential exposure to blood and body fluids.
Participates in the development and implementation of PCER guidelines.
Demonstrates ongoing professional growth through participation in relevant educational endeavors and appropriate associations.
Maintains CPR certification and licensure requirements.
Maintains patient confidentiality.
Attends and participates in meetings and in-services as required. Serves on committees as requested.
Takes and develops radiographs.
Takes impressions for study models.
Places sealants as assigned by DDS.
Scales teeth, supra and subgingival and root planning.
Applies f12 tx.
Complies with all agency policies and procedures concerning corporate compliance including privacy of protected health information.
Performs related work as required and other duties as assigned.

About you:
Knowledge of dental hygiene and practice to evaluate and provide patient care.
Knowledge of organizational policies, regulations, and procedures to administer patient care.
Knowledge of dental equipment and instruments to administer patient care.
Skill in taking dental history to assess dental condition and interpret findings.
Skill in preparing and maintaining records, writing reports, and responding to correspondence.
Knowledge of common safety hazards and precautions to establish a safe work environment.
Skill in developing and maintaining department quality assurance and quality control standards. 
Ability to interpret, adapt and apply guidelines and procedures.
Ability to effectively communicate in both written and verbal form.
Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with patients, other staff and the public.
Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations.
Ability to function as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
Skill in exercising a high degree of initiative, listening, judgment, discretion and decision-making to achieve organizational/departmental goals.
Ability to prioritize work assignments, work independently, and perform duties efficiently.
Understanding of individual socio-economic status and lifestyle with respect for individual differences.
Requires standing, walking or sitting for long periods of time. Occasional bending, stretching or lifting up to 40 pounds.
Requires the ability to work under stressful situations.
Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range or use of approved adaptive equipment

Typical Working Environment: Frequent exposure to communicable diseases, toxic substance, medicinal preparations and other conditions common to clinic environment. Tasks involve contact with blood or body substances.

Education: Degree from an accredited dental hygiene program.

Experience: Experience in a community health dental clinic setting preferred.

Certificate/License: Possession of an Indiana State Dental Hygiene License and Local anesthesia certification.