Job Summary

The Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) for Medical-Dental Integration (MDI) and Patient Services is responsible for MDI in the community medical clinics. The RDH will function as part of a multi-discipline healthcare team. Responsibilities include oral health assessment, application of fluoride, providing oral hygiene education, diagnosis of oral diseases, and treatment planning within the scope of practice of an RDH in Colorado. In addition, the RDH will provide preventive and therapeutic dental hygiene services including completing preventative prophylaxis cleanings, periodontal maintenance treatment, non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT), and placement of dental sealants on patients in either of the medical or dental clinics and for patients of all ages. Knowledge and utilization of portable dental equipment may be required at times. The RDH will also be responsible for completing medical and dental histories, taking necessary radiographs according to ALARA principles, taking and recording vital signs and pertinent medical history when indicated and ensuring the patient's periodontal and dental exams are up to date.

Essential Functions:
 

• Works collaboratively with the pediatric and adult medical providers to complete a dental screening on patients identified by the medical provider on site, completes a Caries Risk Assessment (CRA) for all patients, offers oral hygiene education and a fluoride varnish application as indicated. (45%)

• Patient care: Perform dental hygiene services in the community or school-based dental clinics to provide all-age patient care which would include all-encompassing care under the scope of practice of a RDH in Colorado. These duties would include those under the job description of a Community or School-Based Dental Hygienist at Denver Health. Performs dental hygiene assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning for dental hygiene services. Identifies dental abnormalities for immediate referral to a Denver Health (DH) community health clinic (CHC) dentist. Completes oral cancer screenings and takes intraoral images when indicated for appropriate referral and follow-up. Completes a Caries Risk Assessment (CRA) on all patients. (45%)

• Administrative and Operational Duties: Patient documentation; RDH completes patient care notes within 72 hours of registration. Provides case management and patient care navigation which includes supporting treatment plan follow-up, insurance enrollment, appointment scheduling, referral management, transportation arrangement, and general patient education. When applicable, completes daily required maintenance of portable dental equipment. (10%)

Education:
 

• Associate's Degree Dental Hygiene Required

Work Experience:
 

• less than 1 year Direct clinical practice Required or

• less than 1 year in a Medical-Dental Inegrated or school-based setting Required

Licenses:
 

• Dental Hygienist - DORA - Department of Regulatory Agencies Required and

• BLS-Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) - AHA - American Heart Association or American Red Cross Required and

• LOCAL-Local Anesthesia - DORA - Department of Regulatory Agencies Required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
 

• Knowledge of dental hygiene procedures and techniques sufficient to be able to perform the full scope of preventive dental hygiene services, including dental hygiene diagnosis of dental disease, oral health screenings, oral cancer screening, oral-systemic health education, fluoride treatment, dental sealants, prophylactic cleanings, and NSPT, (scaling and root planning).

• Critical thinking skills for determining when appropriate referrals are needed to dental specialists, medical care and/or behavioral healthcare.

• Knowlege of trauma informed care practices willingness to provide equitable care in a system that provides LGBTQ+ affirming and culturally diverse healthcare.

• Knowlege of motivational interviewing practices and ability to have effective coaching conversations with patients and their families around nutrition, oral-systemic health, oral diseases, home hygiene and substance use.

• With the appropriate certification as determined by the Dental Practice Act: Prescribes and applies silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for arresting caries, dentinal hypersensitivity and caries prevention.

• With the appropriate permit from the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) and as determined by the Dental Practice Act: After prescription of an interim therapeutic restoration (ITR) from a supervising dentist, places ITR on pediatric and adult patients.

• Complies with Dental Practice Act for continuing education requirements.

• Knowledge of ALARA principles for prescribing and capturing dental radiographs.