Dental Hygienist

• Provide dental hygiene care to a wide range of patients
• Follow the practice procedures for the prevention and control of infection
• Plan the delivery of care for patients to improve and maintain their periodontal health
• Work with the dentist/s of the practice to help patients maintain their oral health by preventing and treating gum disease and promoting good oral health practice
• Be proactive in developing good lines of communication with the dentist/s to ensure the best treatment of the patients
• Carry out appropriate patient treatments according to a written prescription from a dentist
• Obtain a detailed dental history from patients and evaluate their medical history
• Complete periodontal examination and charting and use indices to screen and monitor periodontal disease
• Work with the principal to develop the practice and implement the business plan
• Provide treatment for patients in line with the practice schedule and appointment system
• Maintain accurate clinical records
• Maintain a high level of patient care
• Keep up to date with health and safety requirements
• Attend practice meetings and training sessions when requested to do so
• Assist in other areas of the practice, including administration if required to do so

Perform the following clinical procedures:

• Monitor periodontal diseases by using current indices, plaque scores, bleeding and pocket depth charts
• Provide specific oral hygiene advice by the development of a home care plan for individual patients to maintain their oral health
• Perform supra and subgingival scaling, including comprehensive root surface debridement which may involve the use of local infiltration analgesia together with the placement of antimicrobial agents when necessary
• Provide thorough prophylaxis, which can include polishing restorations
• Place fissure sealants and apply fluoride applications to teeth
• Place a temporary filling, when appropriate
• Give specific preventative advice including: nutritional guidance; advice and use of fluoride agents; the benefits of smoking cessation and the prevention of halitosis
• Take radiographs
• Apply local treatment agents under prescription from the dentist
• Plan and implement oral hygiene programmes related to public health campaigns
• Place crowns with temporary cement in emergencies
• Remove excess cement by instruments, which may include rotary instruments
• Take impressions (for the purpose of record, diagnostic and orthodontic model production)
• Administer inferior dental nerve block anaesthesia, under the direct personal supervision of a registered dentist (provided that the dentist is on the premises when the ID block is administered)
• Treat patients under conscious sedation, provided that the sedationist remains in the room throughout treatment
• Administer local infiltration anaesthesia according to the GDC guidelines

Perform the following additional procedures following appropriate training:

• Carry out tooth whitening to the prescription of a dentist
• Prescribe radiographs
• Administer inhalation sedation
• Remove sutures after the wound has been checked by a dentist

Requirements

• Carry out a high quality dental hygiene treatment under the prescription of a dentist in line with current legislation and regulations
• Follow practice policies and procedures
• Ensure that the required professional indemnity and insurance are in place and that all necessary CPD is undertaken
• Promote, establish and maintain productive working relationships with all members of the dental team 
• Liaise with the principal on all matters concerning administration, pay and service conditions
• Supervise the assisting dental nurse in regard to clinical matters
• Take reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of others who may be  affected by your acts or omissions at work

Responsibilities

• This job description is a guide to responsibilities rather than a complete list of duties. It will be periodically reviewed and may be amended by agreement from time to time.

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