"Part - Time Dental Hygienist - FY 2026"

Job Description

Position Summary

Under the supervision of the Dental Director setting and using established dental hygiene protocols and procedures, the Dental Hygienist provides professional, high-quality dental care and education to a broad range of patients.

This position exists to provide patient treatment for the Dental Faculty Practice. This position provides prophylaxis cleanings, root planning, debridement, sealants and radiographs. This position also will review and explain the treatment plan to the patient. This position is expected to complete a routine scheduled treatment within 45 minutes to an hour.

Essential Job Functions

• Provides high-quality dental hygiene care within the scope of service consistent with accepted standards of care.
• Evaluates patients and implements treatment regimens under the supervision of the Dentist.
• Provides complete documentation of all findings, treatments and outcomes.
• Initiates oral health education and prevention activities.
• Reviews and interprets patient dental records.
• Works cooperatively with other Dental Program staff.
• Helps out where needed to ensure smooth, efficient running of Dental Program; and
• Participates in the ongoing evaluation of Dental Program operations to assure the delivery of high-quality services that support the financial sustainability of the program.

Performance expectations

• Assesses dental conditions and risk, uses patient screening procedures, including medical history review, dental charting, and period-charting; takes patient vital signs as required.
• Delivers direct patient care to patients as assigned, using established dental hygienist procedures, such as cleaning, polishing, x-rays, application of sealants, fluorides and varnishes and related procedures.
• Develops and implements individualized dental care plans for patients; performs patient education and risk protocols, discharge planning, and patient/family teaching under the supervision of a dentist.
• Provides chair-side assistance to the dentist in the performance of special tests, procedures and complex treatments.
• Makes impressions of patients' teeth for study casts.
• Documents dental history of chief complaint; records and reports pertinent observations and patient reactions to dental staff, as appropriate; documents lab procedures and ensure follow-up on results.
• Assists with or institutes emergency measures for sudden adverse development during treatment of patients.
• Initiates patient care as appropriate for walk-in patients. Participates in Quality Improvement activities as requested by the Dentist/Clinical Dental.
• Assists in the preparation of patient care areas, and in the patient admission, transfer and discharge process, as required; prepares reports and assists as required with patient reception, telephone calls, routine triage and other office duties.
• Scans reception room for patients; Assumes responsibility for the upkeep of the dental operatory and equipment.
• Performs routine cleaning and maintenance of dental equipment in assigned operatories and for the assigned equipment. Regularly and thoroughly performs maintenance of assigned equipment; Uses downtime to clean and restock operatories; and
• Performs miscellaneous duties within the Dental Program as assigned.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Work involves considerable exposure to unusual elements such as extreme temperatures, unpleasant odors and/or loud noises. Moderate physical activity. Requires handling average-weight objects up to 15-20 pounds, assisting with patients and standing and/or walking for most of the day. Will work with blood or blood-borne pathogens and will require OSHA training; and Work environment involves exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations that require extensive safety precautions and may include the use of protective equipment.

Knowledge, Skill and Technical Qualities

• Ability to analyze medical records and prescribed protocol to formulate effective therapeutic treatment plans.
• Knowledge of Federal, State and institutional regulations and guidelines for the provision of dental outpatient services.
• Ability to independently assess the nature and extent of dental disease and associated conditions and pathology in dental patients.
• Ability to perform a full range of established dental hygienist protocols and procedures.
• Knowledge of patient screening, charting and medical history procedures and documentation.
• Knowledge and understanding of dental surgery and associated procedures, terminology and techniques.
• Ability to set up and prepare dental equipment and instrumentation in accordance with established.
• Ability to independently perform emergency dental procedures.
• Ability to communicate technical information to non-technical co-workers.
• Knowledge of patient admission, triage, transfer and discharge procedures and documentation; and Ability to manage the dental office infection control plan to meet OSHA, CDC and ADA standards.

Education/Licensure Requirements

Registered dental hygienist (RDH) from an accredited program with a current license to practice in the state of Nevada. Current CPR certification. Pursues appropriate CEUs as required to maintain licensure and stay abreast of advances in the field of dentistry, especially in areas related to the scope of dental hygiene practice.

Starting Salary

$55.00 Hour

Exempt

No

Full-Time Equivalent

80.0%

Required Attachment(s)

To be considered for this position, all applicants must attach the following documents onto their applications. Cover letter, Resume, Copy of NV Hygiene License.