Dental Hygienist Advanced Clinical

About This Role

This Dental Hygienist Advanced Clinical position provides direct patient care as an advanced-level practitioner under general supervision, performing clinical and clerical functions independently. The role involves working closely with dentists or periodontists in assigned areas within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient care under general supervision of a dentist
• Perform clinical and clerical functions independently
• Set up operatory for planned dental procedures and clean dental unit
• Handle instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently
• Assess clinical findings, including lab results, and adapt care based on findings
• Interview patients to assess medical, dental, anxiety/phobias, medications, and comorbidities
• Provide routine oral prophylaxis, gross debridement, soft tissue curettage, deep scaling and root planning for complex cases
• Utilize advanced adjunctive diagnostic and therapeutic equipment safely
• Manage dental recall system and refer patients for additional care
• Provide patient education appropriate to needs and oral condition

Requirements

• United States Citizenship
• Associate degree or higher from an accredited dental hygiene program (CODA accredited or equivalent)
• Current, full, and unrestricted license to practice as a dental hygienist
• At least one year of experience equivalent to GS-9 level
• Knowledge of medical assessment techniques (interviewing, clinical findings, lab values)
• Advanced knowledge of oral and dental anatomy, pathologies, and radiographic imaging
• Knowledge of medical treatment adjuncts and ability to administer medicaments safely (e.g., intrasulcular, local anesthesia)
• Knowledge of advanced adjunctive diagnostic and therapeutic equipment (e.g., sonic, ultrasonic scalers)
• Skill in providing safe and thorough prophylaxis, root planning, and soft-tissue curettage for complex cases
• Ability to apply adult education techniques and provide healthcare education

Qualifications

• Associate degree or higher from an accredited dental hygiene program
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the GS-9 level directly related to the position

Nice to Have

• Experience administering Local Anesthetic

Skills

* Required skills

Benefits

Certifications