Dental Hygiene Assistant
Job Description
Hygiene Assistants play a vital role in enhancing the efficiency and productivity of dental hygienists by handling patient clerical duties and chart maintenance. Their direct involvement with patients varies based on the hygienist's discretion, aiming to meet patient needs and support the hygienist's workflow.
Key Responsibilities
Preparation:
- Ensure computers are turned on and rooms are ready each morning.
- Fill water bottles.
- Attend pre-shift huddles to note and prepare for potential issues.
- Set up rooms with necessary supplies for upcoming patients (e.g., X-rays, SRP).
Assistance:
- Keep the sterile area organized and running smoothly.
- Ensure timely patient seating and communicate with the hygienist to stay on schedule.
- Assist with perio charting if needed.
- Accurately record treatments in patient charts and on route sheets before sending patients to the front office.
- Confirm all services are correctly listed in appointments before patient check-out.
- Assist with scanning patients for procedures like Invisalign or night guards.
Maintenance:
- Monitor and restock office supplies (e.g., paper towels, toilet paper) by pulling tags when items are low and adding them to the order list.
- Schedule patients' next re-care appointments as needed.
- Ensure patient safety glasses are clean and spot-free.
- Maintain stocked, sterilized, and set-up treatment rooms for each appointment.
- Breakdown and set up operatories between patients.
Patient Interaction:
- Greet and introduce yourself to each patient.
- Update health history and information at each visit.
- Chart and document procedures, patient conditions, medical and dental histories, treatment procedures, and patient comments.
- Take X-rays and intraoral photos.
- Reinforce treatment recommendations.
- Coordinate the office recall system with the hygienist.
Collaboration and Miscellaneous:
- Work collaboratively with other clinical staff to maintain the appearance of labs and treatment rooms.
- Maintain inventory control in hygiene rooms.
- Share maintenance duties as required.
- Sterilize instruments.
- Perform recurring and routine tasks independently.
- Assist in monitoring the schedule and confirming appointments based on workload.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Skills and Attributes:
- Good planning and organizational skills.
- Computer literacy.
- Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills.
- Professional appearance and manner.
- Ability to lift 15-20 lbs.
- Ability to make patients feel welcomed.
Job Specifications:
- High School Diploma or GED.
- Dental Assistant Certification.
- X-Ray Certification.
- Minimum of 2 years of experience.
