Organization Name
Job Description

Job Title: Dental Hygienist
Department: Medical Services
Reports To: Nursing Home Administrator
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Prep ared Date: February, 2003

NATURE OF WORK
General Statement of Duties: Performs professional preventive and therapeutic dental hygiene services to the residents of a County nursing home or similar establishment.

Supervision Received: Works under the direction of the Nursing Home Administrator.

Supervision Exercised: Position does not exercise supervisory responsibilities.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities: (Any one position may not include all of the tasks listed nor do the listed examples include all tasks which may be found in positions of this class.)

Performs oral screenings and dental prophylactic treatment on residents; removes deposits and stains from patient's teeth; may apply topical fluoride to prevent tooth decay.

Maintains current dental records for each resident; charts conditions of decay and disease; refers patient to dentist for appropriate dental treatment.

May expose and develop x-ray films.

May instruct patients on proper selection and use of toothbrushes.

Adjusts resident's dentures; recommends whenever new dentures are necessary; marks dentures with resident's name.

Develops and delivers dental in-service programs to staff.

Consults with resident's family and staff as to specific oral health conditions and needs.

Makes rounds to bedfast residents and performs dental assessment of oral health.

Maintains dental clinic and equipment in clean and sanitary manner.

Performs other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

Thorough knowledge of professional dental hygiene procedures.

Ability to provide direct patient care for residents of a long-term care facility; and to put patients at ease.

Ability to develop and maintain good working relationships with residents and staff.

Skill in the application of dental hygiene procedures.

Skill in the care and use of dental instruments.

Education and Experience:

Graduation from an accredited Dental Hygiene School. Licensed as a Dental Hygienist in the State of Illinois.