Dental Hygienist Job at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Omaha

Overview

The Dental Hygienist provides direct patient care under the general supervision of the dentist and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision. It is expected that they provide direct patient care and receive guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff members for only the most complex patients.

Responsibilities

• Patient medical assessment (e.g. medical/dental history, social history, vital signs, full periodontal assessment and charting), disease and treatment management recommendations, denture care, scaling and root planing, radiographs/image interpretation, patient education (e.g. post-procedure, tobacco cessation, caries and periodontal-disease prevention), behavior management, management of stable medically compromised patients (including risk factors), instrument sharpening, inter-service communication.
• Set up operatory for planned dental procedure and clean dental unit for timely turnover.
• Handle instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently.
• Perform dental prophylaxis and periodontal maintenance procedures using hand and ultrasonic instruments, including gross debridement, curettage and scaling & root planing, tooth polishing & application of topical fluoride solutions.
• Clean dental prostheses, fixed and removable.
• Manage dental recall system, referring patients to the doctor for additional care when needed.
• Apply desensitizing and sealant materials.
• Administer localized antimicrobial agents in periodontal pockets when indicated.
• Take impressions for fluoride carrier trays.
• Administer topical and/or local anesthetic agents (per state license).
• Accomplish all procedures within standard infection control protocols.
• Conduct head and neck examinations and complete intraoral inspection of the hard and soft tissue and seek consultation with dentist to assess abnormal findings.
• Keep operatory supplied with all necessary equipment, instruments and disposable supplies needed for the proper treatment of patients.
• Provide patient education appropriate to the veteran's needs and oral condition.
• Prepare and provide individual and group oral health care instruction to inpatients, outpatients, and caregivers.
• Expose prescribed radiographs. Images are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented and exposed. Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes are minimized.
• Demonstrate proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatory.
• Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPD standards. Maintain instrument integrity with proper routine sharpening and maintenance per manufacturer instructions. Prepare instruments in a manner that does not delay clinical care.
• Demonstrate proper infection control procedures in exposing images.
• Wear appropriate protective attire and assure that the patient is provided eye protection during procedures.
• Assist patients in scheduling appointments via VA scheduling software and assist in filling gaps in the schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments.
• Chart findings, treatment plans, and treatment provided in patient records. Accurately codes for type of treatment administered, electronically, by way of VA charting system.

Work Schedule

Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm

Telework

Not Available

Virtual

This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives

Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS)

Not Authorized