Dental Hygienist Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

A Dental Hygienist job description provides support services for patients who visit a dental office. Their duties include cleaning teeth and gums, treating gum disease and tooth decay and providing oral health information to patients. 

 

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Dental Hygienist duties and responsibilities

A Dental Hygienist is the first point of contact when patients visit a dental clinic. Their duties include screening patients, educating them about their diet and how it impacts their oral health and counselling them during and after treatment. Dental Hygienists can also perform minor dental procedures such as cleaning the teeth and gums, removing plaque and fixing dentures. Other responsibilities include:

  • Counselling patients and keeping them calm during examination and treatment 
  • Screening patients, including conducting mouth and neck examinations and reviewing oral health history
  • Educating patients on proper teeth and gum care and the importance of diet on oral health
  • Taking X-rays and developing dental impressions and radiographs of teeth
  • Sterilising dental instruments and equipment
  • Removing plaque, cleaning teeth and helping to prevent gum disease
  • Supporting the Dentist on all aspects of dental care
  • Staying current with the latest developments in dentistry
  • Collecting medical and dental histories from patients
  • Charting dental conditions based on observations and evaluations 

 

Dental Hygienist Job Description Examples:

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Dental Hygienist

We are looking for an outgoing hygienist with strong interpersonal skills to join our fast-paced dental office. Experience is preferred and a current dental hygienist license is required. Our modern, fully digital practices provide restorative care, fixed and removable prosthodontics, endodontics, extractions, and implant restorations.

Job Responsibilities

  • Patient screening procedures; such as assessment of oral health conditions, review of the health history, oral cancer screening, head and neck inspection, dental charting and taking blood pressure and pulse

  • Removing calculus and plaque (hard and soft deposits) from all surfaces of the teeth

  • Applying preventive materials to the teeth [website] sealants and fluorides)

  • Teaching patients appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health; [website] tooth brushing, flossing and nutritional counseling)

  • Counseling patients about good nutrition and its impact on oral health

  • Making impressions of patients' teeth for study casts (models of teeth used by dentists to evaluate patient treatment needs)

  • Other duties as assigned

    Qualifications

  • Associate or advanced degree in Dental Hygiene

  • State certification/license as required to work as a Dental Hygienist

  • One year or more of relevant experience in the dental industry preferred; but open to no experience for the right candidate.

  • Possess a strong commitment to patient care, patient health and quality work.

    Location and Schedule

  • Monday though Thursday @ the Medford, NJ office

    A competitive and generous salary package including 401k and dental care is available and paid upon experience.

    Job Type: Full-time

    License:

  • Dental Hygienist (Required)

    Work Location:

  • One location

    Benefits:

  • Health Dental Retirement plan

  • Paid time off

  • Professional development Monday to Friday
    • ×

    Dental Hygienist

    Come join our wonderful docs and team! We seek an upbeat, energetic RDH with great people and clinical skills for our expanding family and cosmetic practice. Part-time with potential soon for full-time (4+ days/week). Dentrix experience and LA cert. a plus. Saturday and/or evening availability preferred. Please email resume and wage requirements in confidence. Benefits include health, 401k, paid PTO, etc. Only Qualified applicants will be contacted.

    Responsibilities

  • Ensure patients feel as comfortable as possible before their examination

  • Sterilize dental instruments properly

  • Conduct initial mouth screenings and check oral health history

  • Identify conditions like gingivitis, caries or periodontitis

  • Clean and help protect patients’ teeth [website] remove plaque or apply fluoride or sealants)

  • Educate patients of all ages on proper teeth care (by demonstrating, for example, good brushing techniques)

  • Give instructions to patients after operations or other dental procedures

  • Take X-rays or dental impressions

  • Assist dentists with selecting appropriate treatments for various diseases (including oral cancer)

  • Maintain documentation and charts on each patient

  • Monitor supplies

    Skills

  • Proven experience as Dental Hygienist or similar role

  • In-depth knowledge of health and safety regulations in this profession [website] Hipaa)

  • Experience in preparing and maintaining dental equipment

  • Outstanding communication skills

  • A patient and friendly personality

  • Attention to detail

  • Stamina to meet the physical demands of the job

  • Diploma in Dental Hygiene; Master’s is a plus

  • Valid license to practice

    Job Type: Part-time

    Salary: $32.00 to $44.00 /hour

    Experience:

  • dental hygiene: 1 year (Preferred)

    License:

  • Dental Hygienist (Required)

    Application Question:

  • Are you available to work one half-Saturday per month?

    Benefits:

  • Health insurance

  • Dental insurance

  • Retirement plan

  • Paid time off

  • Flexible schedule

    Hours per week:

  • 10-19

    Schedule:

  • Monday to Friday

  • Other

    Benefit Conditions:

  • Waiting period may No
    • ×

    Dental Hygienist

    Position Summary

    Ensure all filled products, mass and raw materials meet the company’s microbiological specifications before they are shipped out for sale or used in any filling or manufacturing process. To be able to create, advise and review site cleaning validation and hygiene program in a GMP environment.

  • Create, Advise and Review Cleaning Validation Protocols, Reports, Hygiene policies

  • Audit manufacturing plant for hygiene, cleaning, and other micro related compliance gaps and generate monthly reports.

  • Conduct periodic training with all plant personnel on Hygiene, general sanitation, and contamination control procedures.

  • Understands and is proficient in site procedures and best practices for managing Plant Hygiene, including standard skid design, utility network requirements, cleaning and sanitization validation Requirements.

  • Participate in the definition of design, validation plans, operating procedures, cleaning & sanitization and training to ensure hygiene of equipment and utilities.

  • Assure that raw materials and products at all phases of manufacture meet Microbiological specifications specifically by identifying microorganisms recovered. Monitor microbial quality of DI water, air, and environmental surfaces.

  • Assign dispositions and release product in a timely manner. Track and expedite re-samples as well as unacknowledged and non-dispositional samples

  • Maintain and track inventory of expendable supplies. Track inventory usage to plan future standing orders. Identify streaming and/or cost saving measures in the lab and make recommendations for implementation

  • Supports planning by prioritizing priority/launch items to obtain timely release

  • Utilize SAP system and support computer systems as necessary for QA operations.

  • Perform investigations of product and raw material failures and assist in making recommendations for corrective actions. Follow all required GMP to assure compliance with regulatory agencies. Perform document validation of equipment and methods.

  • Train non-exempt and exempt laboratory personnel. Assist in training of non-laboratory personnel where needed

    Requirements:

  • BS in Microbiology or closely related field (Bio, Med Tech)

  • Excellent communication, time management, math and computer skills needed.

  • Experience with leading cleaning validations and hygiene related projects in a GMP environment.

  • Demonstrated ability to evaluate microbiologically sensitive business risks.

  • Experience in Fast Paced Consumer Goods manufacturing environment preferred (Cosmetic, Food, or Pharma)

  • Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices Regulations (GMP’s) and FDA regulations.

  • Effective oral and written communication skills and ability to appropriately communicate sensitive information in timely manner to all levels of the organization.

  • Off-shift support as needed

    Job Type: Full-time

    Benefits:

  • Health Dental Vision Retirement plan

  • Paid time Monday to Friday

    • What does a Dental Hygienist do?

    Dental Hygienists examine and clean patients’ teeth, offer advice and educate patients on how to take care of their gums and teeth to prevent dental decay and enhance their oral health. Dental Hygienists check patients for oral diseases such as tooth decay and gingivitis. After screening patients and determining the severity of any oral issues, the Dental Hygienists will write a report recommending a suitable treatment and send it to  the Dentist. In many dental practices, Dental Hygienists will also take X-rays to support patients’ diagnosis and treatment. 

     

    Dental Hygienist skills and qualifications

    Candidates often require a two or three year foundational Degree in Oral Health Sciences and must register with the General Dental Council (GDC) in order to practice. A successful Dental Hygiene candidate will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications needed to perform duties effectively including:

    • A Degree in Oral Health Sciences from a GDC-approved programme or Diploma, Higher National Certificate (HNC ) equivalent in Dental Hygiene or Dental Therapy
    • Registration with the GDC 
    • In-depth knowledge of medicine, dentistry, dental health and safety regulations 
    • The skill to handle dental tools with accuracy
    • Attention to detail and the ability to stay calm under stressful conditions
    • Excellent written and oral communication skills
    • Knowledge of preparing and maintaining dental equipment
    • Physical stamina

     

    Dental Hygienist experience requirements

    A Dental Hygienist’s job requires outstanding knowledge of dental procedures and excellent communication skills. The role requires being able to work with patients of all ages before, during and after their diagnosis and treatment. Dental Hygienists must be thorough and detail-oriented, as these qualities are essential during oral examinations and procedures such as plaque removals. They must be good with their hands and skillful at using dental instruments inside the patient’s mouth. 

    Experienced Dental Hygienists will know how to apply local anesthetics under the Dentist’s supervision, clean and polish teeth, treat gum disease and apply sealants and coatings to improve the dental health of patients. Dental Hygienists must be able to maintain a sterile environment, maintain dental equipment and review and update patient records. They must also be able to educate and advise patients on proper ways to care for their teeth and encourage them to follow treatments correctly. 

     

    Dental Hygienist education and training requirements

    Dental Hygienists require a two year foundation Degree in Oral Health Sciences or Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy or a three year degree in the same discipline. Candidates can also hold a diploma of higher education HNC equivalent to qualify for employment. To practice as a Dental Hygienist, candidates must register with the GDC after completing a program accredited by the body. Dental Hygienists often require a thorough background checks because they work closely with patients in a medical setting. They should also have a basic understanding and knowledge of NHS privacy rules.

     

    Dental Hygienist salary expectations

    According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary of a Dental Hygienist is £29.42 per hour. However, actual pay depends on factors such as experience, qualifications, the employer and location. 

     

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    Dental Hygienist job description FAQs

     

    What qualities should a Dental Hygienist have?

    A successful Dental Hygienist must have these qualities:

    • Patience and understanding 
    • Compassion
    • Physical stamina 
    • Good hand-eye coordination

     

    What is a typical day for a Dental Hygienist?

    Dental Hygienists work up to eight hours per day and three to four days per week. A typical day at the dental clinic can involve treating one patient per hour, depending on the number of patients their employer gets per day. 

     

    Do Dental Hygienists need maths?

    Dental Hygienists need to master basic algebra required to solve work-related equations. Besides this, the role does not need candidates to be knowledgeable in advanced maths.

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