Dental Hygienist - Health

Grade 19

**** We are looking for a Certified Public Health Dental Hygienist - pay will reflect Certification/Experience ****

****This position will have a mid/late August 2024 start date - School Term****

General Statement of Duties

Performs the functions of a licensed and Certified Public Health Dental Hygienist; performs directly related work as required.

Examples of Essential Work

• Leads the establishment and management of a comprehensive school-based oral health program, that is consistent with NH guidelines, regulations and statutes governing dental practices and confidentiality, as well as local policies pertaining to the School District and Health Department;
• Obtains and maintains Public Health Supervision status with partnering dentists and/or dental practices;
• Ensures compliance of all members of the Oral Health Team with appropriate federal, state, and local regulations, including those relating to OSHA, HIPAA and infectious disease control.
• Creates and communicates an annual schedule for the Dental Van including a daily schedule for student exams and treatment on the van, and triaging students according to predetermined clinical criteria;
• Communicates with parents and families before and after student treatment, including determining treatment needs and possible referrals, obtaining/recording parental consent, and working with Department staff and/or local providers to link patients with appropriate care in a dental clinic;
• Assesses medical and dental histories, within an electronic dental record for each patient;
• Establishes and administers dental hygiene care plans, including the administration of oral prophylaxis and the application of topical fluoride and sealants;
• Conducts advanced dental procedures requiring Certification when appropriate;
• Assists the dentist, and performs other tasks as required within the scope of practice for a certified public health dental hygienist;
• Administers dental health screenings at schools;
• Manages student caseloads which include patients with severe medical, behavioral and/or psychological health concerns requiring trauma-informed practices to meet their complex needs;
• Provides dental health, hygiene and disease prevention information to individuals, groups and families;
• Presents information and instruction using various media to promote dental health and hygiene to students, the public and other public health staff;
• Oversees and directs the operations of the Dental Van, including moving, set-up, breakdown, and maintenance, including ensuring that all equipment and supplies on the van are appropriately stocked and maintained;
• Maintains reports and records related to dental health and hygiene services and compiles statistical data and other information as required;
• Maintains reports and records related to Medicaid billing, and coordinates with other Health Department staff to ensure accurate and timely submission for Medicaid reimbursement;
• Confers with public health administrators and officials to determine school and community dental health program needs;
• May participate in the planning, prevention and the control of unhealthful causes related to the school and community environment;
• Provides needed information and demonstrations concerning how to perform certain work tasks to new employees in the same or similar class of positions;
• Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems;
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops and training sessions and reviews publications and audio-visual materials to become and remain current on the principles, practices and new developments in assigned work areas;
• Responds to citizens’ questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner;
• Communicates and coordinates regularly with appropriate others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities;
• Performs other directly related duties consistent with the role and function of the classification.

Acceptable Experience and Training

• Graduation from an approved school of dental hygiene; and
• Considerable experience in dental hygiene or public health; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the work.

Required Special Qualifications

• Active New Hampshire dental hygienist's license;
• Certification as a Public Health Dental Hygienist in New Hampshire;
• Valid New Hampshire Driver's license.
• CPR and First Aid Certification.