Dental Hygienist

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Dental Hygienist is a licensed oral healthcare professional responsible for delivering preventive,
therapeutic, and educational dental hygiene services that promote optimal oral and overall health. The hygienist
performs comprehensive patient assessments, periodontal evaluations, prophylaxis, scaling and root planning,
periodontal maintenance, preventive treatments, radiographic imaging, oral cancer screenings, and
individualized patient education. The Dental Hygienist utilizes evidence-based practices and current dental
technologies, including electronic dental records, digital radiography, intraoral photography, and digital
scanning (when available), to identify oral health concerns and support accurate diagnosis and treatment
planning.
Collaborating with the dentist and dental team, the Dental Hygienist exercises professional judgment within the
scope of licensure to develop individualized preventive care plans, reinforce treatment recommendations, assess
patient risk factors, and improve long-term oral health outcomes. The hygienist maintains accurate clinical
documentation, adheres to all infection prevention and regulatory standards, participates in quality improvement
initiatives, and contributes to a positive, patient-centered clinical environment.

POSITION-SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/DUTIES &
RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Patient Assessment and Clinical Evaluation
* Review and update medical and dental histories at each appointment.
* Review medications, allergies, medical alerts, and antibiotic prophylaxis requirements prior to
treatment.
* Assess vital signs when indicated.
* Perform comprehensive oral and periodontal assessments, including periodontal charting, probing
depths, recession, bleeding, furcation involvement, mobility, plaque indices, and caries risk assessments.
* Conduct comprehensive intraoral and extraoral examinations.
* Perform routine oral cancer screenings and utilize adjunctive screening devices when available.
* Identify periodontal disease, caries, oral pathology, and other conditions requiring evaluation by the
dentist.
* Assess oral-systemic health risk factors, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, tobacco use,
xerostomia, and other conditions affecting oral health.
* Communicate clinical findings and recommendations to the dentist and document findings accurately.
2. Preventive and Periodontal Therapy
* Perform dental prophylaxis for pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients.
* Perform scaling and root planning, periodontal maintenance, and gross debridement as indicated.
* Remove plaque, calculus, and extrinsic stains using hand instrumentation, ultrasonic scalers, and
polishing techniques.
* Evaluate periodontal treatment outcomes and modify maintenance intervals as appropriate.
* Apply fluoride varnish, fluoride treatments, desensitizing agents, antimicrobial agents, and other
preventive therapies as indicated.
* Place pit and fissure sealants according to clinical guidelines.
* Monitor periodontal stability and recommend appropriate periodontal maintenance schedules.
3. Diagnostic Imaging and Clinical Technology
* Expose, process, and evaluate digital dental radiographs following ALARA principles.
* Capture intraoral photographs and digital scans when utilized by practice.
* Utilize electronic dental records (EDR), periodontal charting software, and digital imaging systems.
* Identify radiographic findings requiring further evaluation by the dentist.
* Assist in incorporating new clinical technologies and digital workflows into patient care.
* Utilize AI-assisted radiographic review or other clinical decision-support technologies when
implemented by the practice.
4. Patient Education and Preventive Care
* Educate patients on proper brushing, flossing, interdental cleaning, and oral hygiene techniques.
* Recommend individualized home care products based on patient needs.
* Provide education regarding:
o Periodontal disease prevention and management
o Dental caries prevention
o Oral cancer awareness
o Nutrition and dietary habits affecting oral health.
o Tobacco cessation
o Xerostomia management
o Oral-systemic health connections, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
* Reinforce post-treatment instructions and home care recommendations.
* Encourage regular preventive care and patient participation in maintaining oral health.
* Utilize patient-centered communication techniques to educate patients and help reduce dental anxiety.
5. Treatment Planning Support
* Review clinical findings with patients and reinforce the dentist's treatment recommendations.
* Educate patients regarding diagnosed conditions and available treatment options.
* Assist patients in understanding the benefits of timely treatment and preventive care.
* Answer patient questions regarding procedures, home care, and expected treatment outcomes.
* Promote patient acceptance of recommended treatment through education and effective communication.
6. Individualized Prevention Program Development
* Develop personalized preventive care programs based on patient age, risk level, and clinical findings.
* Complete caries risk and periodontal risk assessments to guide preventive treatment recommendations.
* Recommend fluoride therapies, sealants, antimicrobial therapies, periodontal maintenance intervals, and
individualized home care regimens.
* Monitor patient compliance and modify prevention strategies as needed.
* Collaborate with the dentist to provide comprehensive preventive care plans.
7. Documentation and Clinical Records
* Accurate document:
o Medical and dental history
o Periodontal charting
o Oral assessments
o Radiographic findings
o Treatment rendered
o Patient education provided
o Treatment recommendations
o Follow-up care
* Maintain complete, accurate, and timely documentation in the electronic dental record.
* Ensure documentation complies with organizational, legal, and regulatory requirements.
8. Infection Prevention and Clinical Safety
* Follow CDC, OSHA, HIPAA, and all applicable infection prevention and control guidelines.
* Sterilize instruments and maintain sterilization logs according to established protocols.
* Prepare, disinfect, and organize treatment rooms between patients.
* Monitor operatory cleanliness and ensure proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
* Assist in maintaining clinical equipment and report repair or maintenance needs promptly.
9. Team Collaboration
* Collaborate effectively with dentists, dental assistants, administrative staff, and other healthcare
professionals to coordinate patient care.
* Communicate patient concerns and treatment needs to the dental team.
* Assist in maintaining efficient patient flow and schedule management.
* Participate in daily huddles, team meetings, and quality improvement initiatives.
* Foster a respectful, collaborative, and patient-centered workplace culture.
* Coordinate care with medical providers for patients with complex medical conditions when appropriate.
10. Quality Improvement and Professional Development
* Participate in quality assurance, infection prevention monitoring, and clinical outcome improvement
initiatives.
* Monitor preventive care metrics and support practice performance goals.
* Maintain current state licensure, CPR certification, and all required certifications.
* Complete continuing education requirements and remain current with evidence-based dental hygiene
practices and emerging technologies.
* Practice within the scope of state dental hygiene regulations and organizational policies.
* Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with HIPAA and all applicable federal, state, and local
regulations.
11. Additional Duties
* Prepare operatories and treatment areas for patient care.
* Maintain clinical supplies and notify leadership of inventory needs.
* Sharpen and maintain hand instruments as needed.
* Prepare patient charts and assist with examination workflow.
* Support community outreach events, preventive health initiatives, and patient education programs as
assigned.
* Assist with clinical training, mentoring, or onboarding of new team members when requested.
* Perform other duties as assigned to support patient care and clinic operations.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
* Education:
* Experience:
* Expertise:
Graduate of an accredited dental hygiene program, licensed to practice in the State of
Wisconsin.
Knowledge of dental disease prevention techniques, dental prophylaxis techniques and
procedures, and public health dental programs.
Skill in the use of dental tools and equipment. Ability to clean and care for human teeth;
to instruct patients in proper care of teeth and gums; to expose, develop, and mount X
rays; to maintain records; and to prepare concise reports.
* Language:
Comprehend and use primary written or spoken language to communicate information
and ideals.
* Hours of Work: May vary based on Organizational need.
* Travel: May vary based on Organizational need.

A review of this position description may have excluded some of the marginal functions of the position that are
incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties. This position description in no way states or implies that
these are the only duties to be performed by the employee in this position. Employees will be required to follow
any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisors. I
acknowledge that my employment relationship with the Clinic unless otherwise provided in writing, shall be
defined as "employment at will," where either party may dissolve the relationship at any time.