Dental Hygienist

Kewa Pueblo Health Corporation kphc

Kewa Pueblo, NM 87052, USA

Published: 6/14/2022

Healthcare

Full Time

Job Description

PRN Dental Hygienist

Department: Dental

Reports to: Director of Dental

FLSA Status: Non- Exempt

Type of Position: PRN

Revised Date: 03/03/2026

MISSION & VISION STATEMENT:

The Kewa Pueblo Health Corporation (KPHC) is established for the purposes of carrying out the vision and mission of the Santo Domingo Health Center (SDHC). The MISSION of KPHC is: “ENSURING HEALTH & WELLNESS THROUGH EXCELLENCE IN HEALTHCARE WITH RESPECT FOR CULTURE” and the VISION OF KPHC is: “HEALTHY PEOPLE, HEALTHY COMMUNITY, and HEALTHY LIFESTYLE”.

POSITION PURPOSE:

The program is designed to provide comprehensive oral health education and dental hygiene treatment to diverse patient groups with assistance from members of the dental team. The dental hygienist will also work with and be assisted by other staff throughout the Kewa Pueblo Health Center and Kewa Pueblo to provide comprehensive dental prevention education.

PERFOMANCE EXPECTATIONS:

In performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees of the Kewa Pueblo Health Center are expected to conform to the following:

Uphold all principles of confidentiality and patient care to the fullest extent.
Adhere to all professional and ethical behavior standards of the healthcare industry.
Interact in an honest, trustworthy and dependable manner with patients, employees and vendors.
Possess cultural awareness and sensitivity.
Maintain a current insurable driver’s license.
Comply with all Kewa Pueblo Health Corporation and Santo Domingo Health Center policies and procedures, as well

ESSENTIAL DUTIES, FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Completes preliminary examinations on dental service patients, reviews patients’ medical and dental histories, examines teeth and periodontium for evidence of periodontal disease, charts findings including plaque index, bleeding scores, probing depths, PSR scores, tooth mobility, crepitus, etc., inspects the mouth and throat, and takes routine dental radiographs as recommended.
Prepares dental hygiene treatment plans for patients including assessment of the problem and recommendation of oral hygiene care needed. Communicates with patients the sequence of appointments needed to complete treatment.
Maintains recall system for careful follow-up of patients that need continued care or evaluation.
Administers local anesthesia as needed under the supervision of the dentist (if certified).
Performs complete oral prophylaxis on patients including removal of plaque, calculus, and stain from supragingival and subgingival tooth surfaces. Polishes the teeth and applies fluoride for hypersensitivity and caries prevention.
Provides subgingival irrigation and placement of chemotherapeutic agents as needed.
Evaluates and places pit and fissure sealants as needed.
Gives post-operative care instructions to patients after treatment.
Instructs patients in oral hygiene, brushing and flossing techniques, and use of periodontal aids. Plans and adapts home care techniques, tailoring them to the oral hygiene needs and oral problems of individual patients.
Explains to patients the causes of periodontal disease and tooth decay, and the importance of diet as it relates to oral and systemic health.
Documents all findings, clinical procedures, and treatments properly in the electronic health record.
Organizes, implements, and evaluates preventive oral health programs for various patient groups such as diabetic, pediatric (Well Child, WIC, MCR), geriatric, cancer, psychiatric, and physically and mentally handicapped patients. Develops and revises oral health instructional materials and education techniques for varied levels of the mental and physical capabilities of each patient group.
Helps organize and maintain documentation regarding school based programs, oral health education programs, and other community based interventions.
Develops procedural instructions to be used by dental hygienists, dental assistants, dieticians, nutritionists, and the nursing staff in the delivery of oral health care to patients throughout the health center.
Represents the dental program on Santo Domingo Pueblo program evaluation workgroups where clinical and community prevention programs and activities are involved.
Develops quality improvement studies for evaluating the effectiveness of the preventive dentistry program. Modifies subject matter content and instructional methods according to the results of evaluation data and new developments in the field of dental hygiene. Compiles statistical data and written reports of the participation in the preventive dentistry program.
Researches current dental literature and regularly attends health center and dental staff meetings to make improvements in the oral hygiene program. Instructs nurses, health educators, social workers, nursing assistants, community health representatives, other medical staff, and school teachers in the proper techniques of oral hygiene to be applied to young patients/students, the bedridden, handicapped, disabled and chronically ill patients.
Presents lectures and demonstrations in oral health care to various patient and community groups such as diabetics, hemodialysis patients, drug or alcohol dependent patients, and health boards, using slides, denture models, tooth brushes, charts, and other dental education materials.
Ability to perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM MANDATORY QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

Current license to practice Dental Hygiene from any State of Territory of the United States.
Two (2) year certification program OR an Associate’s Degree program in Dental Hygiene from an accredited institution by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.

Experience:

At least one (1) year professional experience as a Registered Dental Hygienist, RDH.

Mandatory Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Qualifications:

Must maintain BLS certification at all times.

Maintains professional licensures and competence through participation in education relative to dental hygiene practices and maintaining annual competency documentation
Knowledge of the dental hygiene sciences including the principles, practices, and procedures of dental hygiene to conduct and coordinate with others the preventive dental health activities of the dental service
Proficient use of Microsoft Office
Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, for communicating with clinical personnel, patients, visitors, and other delegates
A record of satisfactory performance in all prior and current employment as evidenced by positive employment references from previous and current employers.
Ability to perform other duties as assigned.

Familiarity with the mandatory reporting requirements under the Indian Child Protection Act, with regards to suspected incidence of child abuse or child neglect.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Certificate of local anesthesia.
Bilingual skills in English and the Keres native language.
Prior experience working with Indian Health Services (IHS), a Tribe or Tribal Organization.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the primary functions of this job. Normal office conditions exist, and the noise level in the work environment can vary from low to high. In addition, work involves exposure to communicable diseases, radiation, and flying debris, and therefore, masks, protective eyewear, and lead aprons are often needed, as well as application of other recommended techniques. This position may be exposed to certain health risks that are inherent when working within a health center facility. Limited overnight travel may be required from time to time.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to frequently stand, walk, sit, bend, twist, talk and hear. There may be prolonged periods of sitting, keyboarding, reading, as well as driving or riding in transport vehicles. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include reading, distance, computer, and color vision. Talking and hearing are essential to communicate with patients, vendors and staff.

MENTAL DEMANDS:

There are a number of deadlines associated with this position. The employee must also multi-task and interact with a wider variety of people on various and, at times, complicated issues.

OTHER:

All employees must uphold all principles of confidentiality and patient care to the fullest extent. This position has access to sensitive information and a breach of these principles will be grounds for immediate termination.

Disclaimer: The information on this position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performance by employees in this position. It is not designed to contain, or be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this position. Employees will be asked to perform other duties as needed.

Applicants will be considered on the basis of whether they meet the minimum mandatory qualifications identified on the position description for the position applied for, including requisite experience, relevant education and possession of required licenses and certifications. Among applicants who meet all minimum mandatory qualification for a position, preference will, to the maximum extent feasible, be granted to qualified Native American applicants.