Job Description

Posting number: 2026-00143

Department: DENTAL CLINIC OPERATIONS

Division: DENTAL SERVICES GUADALUPE

Job classification: Dental Hygienist

Posting type: External Posting

Categories: Medical/Dental

The Denial Hygienist performs advanced prophylactic and preventive dental procedures in the treatment of patients with dental problems. This position assists in the planning, coordination and evaluation of the Tribal oral health program for optimum utilization of Tribal resources.

Examples of duties

1. Complete preliminary dental examinations on new dental patients, examine teeth, and surrounding tissues for evidences of plaque, periodontal disease, and chart findings; inspect mouth and throat for evidence of disease such as oral cancer.
2. Interpret routine X-rays to identify tooth structures, calculus, abnormalities such as cavities, and deep periodontal pockets.
3. Review patient's medical record and dental history for evidence of past and present conditions such as medical illnesses and use of drugs, which may complicate or alter dental hygiene treatment.
4. Refer abnormalities such as cavities, traumatic occlusion, and suspicious lesions to the dentist.
5. Prepare dental hygiene treatment plans for patient including assessment of the problem, type of oral hygiene care required, and the sequence of appointments needed to complete treatment.
6. Perform deep sub gingival scaling, root planning, and curettage under local anesthesia. Polish the teeth and apply stannous fluoride for hypersensitivity and caries prevention.
7. Educate the patient on need for daily oral health and fluoride treatment.
8. Instruct patients at chair-side in oral hygiene, brushing and flossing techniques, and periodontal aids, which increase the amount of stimulation to the periodontium. Plan and adapt instructions in home care techniques, tailoring them to the oral hygiene needs, and oral problems of individual patients.
9. Explain to patients the causes of periodontal disease and tooth decay and the importance of diet as it relates to oral and systemic health.
10. Will assist in the Maricopa Managed Care Program in the review of dental treatment plans and dental bills for quality assurance and utilization study.
11. Instruct nurses, health educators, social workers, nursing assistants, community health representatives, and other medical staff in proper techniques of oral hygiene applied to the young patients, the bedridden, handicapped, disabled, and chronically ill patient.
12. Present lectures and demonstrations in oral health care to various patient and community groups such as diabetics, hemodialysis patients and drug or alcohol dependent patients, use slides, denture models, toothbrushes, charts, and other dental education materials.
13. Implement fluoridation application program for tribal children in various locations including Traditional Yaqui communities in the Phoenix area.
14. Maintain patient-s record of treatment. Record oral conditions of the teeth and surrounding tissue, progress and therapy notes, appointments and the number of patients treated, and type of treatment administered.
15. Perform other duties of a similar nature or level as requested by supervisor or director
16. Patient load at a minimal is 8 cases daily, unless cleared by Dental Director.
17. Must coordinate/schedule extra hygiene programs within clinical setting i.e. PCC hygiene rotation, NAU hygiene rotation.
18. Responsible for infection control weekly monitoring and overall clinical OSHA guidelines.
19. Assist in the development and implementation of the employee Non Tribal dental Practice.
20. Coordinate supplies, ordering, purchase orders, restocking etc.
21. Participate in Tribal functions as needed and any other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Oral anatomy, oral physiology and histology; the principles and techniques of preventive dentistry and the dental instruments and materials to perform a variety of specialized diagnostic, prophylactic and preventive dental hygiene procedures;
• Oral pathology and period ontology sufficient to recognize and provide the necessary appropriate prophylactic and therapeutic dental hygiene treatment;
• Dental hygiene science including the principles, practices and procedures of dental hygiene to develop and implement the dental preventive program;
• Health behavior and health educational principles and methods to develop dental instructional and training programs;
• State and Federal rules and local law regulations as they relates to dentistry, including those of Indian Health Service;
• Yaqui culture, customs, resources and traditions and/or a willingness to learn.

Skills and Abilities:

• Performing specialized prophylactic and preventative dental hygiene procedures for individuals and special population groups such as diabetics, individuals with cardiac complications and those with periodontal disease;

• Perform assignments independently with wide latitude for carrying out preventive measures;
• Make decisions and function in situations where available guidelines do not adequately cover the range and kinds of problems that arise during program operations;
• Perform clinical duties with appropriate universal infraction control precautions and within the dental hygiene standards of practice;
• Evaluate oral health education standards, practices and prevention methods for efficacy and cultural appropriateness;
• Applying dental hygiene practices and procedures;
• Administering local anesthesia;
• HIPAA regulations and patient rights;
• Operate a variety of office equipment, including a computer and related software applications;
• Good communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with co-workers, supervisor, management, Council members, and the public. Have ability to sufficiently exchange or convey information and receive verbal and written work instructions.

Supplemental information

Graduate from an accredited Dental Hygiene program, Arizona State Board License as a Dental Hygienist, plus two (1) year experience working as a licensed hygienist.

• Must possess and maintain a valid Arizona Driver's License;
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred but not required.