KOHA Ionia County (Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment)

Part-Time 20 hours per week

Registered Dental Hygienist

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Position Summary  

This is a “hybrid” position with time and responsibilities spent in two (2) different roles.  When individual is performing hygiene care on dental patients within an MCDC dental center, the individual’s primary reporting relationship is to the center Office Manager.  When individual is performing Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment (KOHA) program duties, the individual’s primary reporting relationship is to the Chief of Community & Government Affairs.

Assist in all aspects of KOHA program including development and implementation of detailed project plan with metrics.

A Dental Hygienist performs a variety of tasks for the assessment and treatment of oral and periodontal disease.  A Dental Hygienist assists the doctor in documenting the current clinical condition and recommending treatment to provide the appropriate level of clinical care, as well as Dental Assistants and Front Desk as needed. 

Typical Duties and Responsibilities 

• In conjunction, with marketing and communications team members develop an outreach plan to inform schools, day care facilities and families of KOHA program and provide a copy of this plan to health department partner organization
• Inform schools, community based organizations, local dentists and families of the program and provide information that can be disseminated
• Offer and conduct oral health assessments at scheduled times at various school and community-based locations
• Ensure that all oral assessments are performed adhere to all applicable safety and infection control standards
• Manage assessment data input, collection and analysis (daily, monthly, and annual assessment statistics; feedback from community stakeholders; outreach/event activity data)
• Prepare monthly/quarterly reports for review by supervisor and other staff, as necessary
• Provide referral information concerning the availability and sources of treatment required to eliminate or mitigate any dental problems identified through the assessment
• Assist in expanding referrals; develop and coordinate quarterly in-service trainings for staff and clinicians; and network with traditional and non-traditional community organizations
• Advise supervisor opportunities related to advocacy, communication, budget, coordination, documentation, and reporting procedures; and legal and ethical issues related to the goals of the program/project
• Assist in ensuring project activities align with set strategy and budget
• Track all project-related paperwork; ensure all needed promotional materials and supplies are current, properly documented and stored
• Prepare “time-spent” summaries regarding KOHA tasks as requested by supervisor.
• Perform prophylaxes, root planning, and apply sealants
• Update patient health history and all required information
• Dental charting of existing restorations and missing teeth and periodontal charting annually
• Placement of sub gingival medicaments as available
• Take patient’s blood pressure, x-rays, impressions (and pouring of) for diagnostic models
• Presentation of initial findings and recommended periodontal treatment
• Confidently answer patient questions regarding any necessary treatment
• Enter treatment performed plans in the chart including recare scheduling
• Disinfect operatory and sterilize instruments
• Assist the Doctor, Dental Assistants and Front Desk as needed
• Give oral hygiene instructions and demonstrations to all patients
• Polish dental restorations
• Assist in the triage and treatment of emergency patients
• Administer local anesthetic
• Inventory management and ordering of supplies
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities 

• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Must have the ability to work with Microsoft Office software and related software programs
• Professionally maintain composure and effectiveness under pressure and changing conditions
• Ability to learn new duties and adjust to new situations encountered on the job within a reasonable amount of time
• Exceptional human relation skills; maintaining an outgoing, friendly attitude at all times
• Ability to work with interruptions and manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines
• Ability to work unsupervised whenever necessary
• Hand scaling and polishing
• Experience with Intra-oral camera, plasma arc curing light, electronic blood pressure cuff, ultrasonic scalers, autoclave, and radiographic equipment

Job Specification 

• Current Michigan RDH license
• Local Anesthetic preferred
• Dental experience preferred
• CPR and First Aid certified