Dental Hygienist

An excellent opportunity exists to work for a government contractor with competitive compensation and work-life balance. Posterity Group is seeking experienced Dental Hygienists at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System.

Locations include :

• VA Greater Los Angeles Hospital 11301 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90073
• VA Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center 16111 Plummer Street North Hills, CA 91343
• Bakersfield CBOC 1801 Westwind Drive Bakersfield, CA 93301
• Santa Maria CBOC 1550 East Main Street Santa Maria, CA 93454
• Los Angeles ACC 351 East Temple Street Los Angeles, CA 90012
• Captain Rosemary Bryant Mariner Outpatient Clinic 5250 Ralston Street Ventura, CA 93003
• The Dental Hygienist shall receive scheduled patients, complete preliminary dental examinations on new dental service patients and review patients medical and dental history for evidence of past and present conditions such as mental illness and use of drugs, which may complicate or alter dental hygiene treatment.
• The Dental Hygienist shall examine the teeth and surrounding tissue for evidences of plaque and periodontal disease and chart findings. The Dental Hygienist shall inspect the mouth and throat for evidence of disease such as oral cancer; interpret routine x-rays to identify tooth structures, calculus, and abnormalities such as cavities, traumatic occlusion, and suspicious lesions to present to the dentist.
• The Dental Hygienist assignments at this level include but are not limited to : patient medical assessment (e.g. medical / dental history, social history, vital signs, full periodontal assessment and charting), disease and treatment management recommendations, denture care, scaling and root planing, radiographs / image interpretation, patient education (e.g. post-procedure, tobacco cessation, caries and perio-disease prevention), behavior management, management of stable medically compromised patients (including risk factors), instrument sharpening, and inter-service communication.
• The Dental Hygienist shall render routine and advanced prophylactic treatment on ambulatory patients; remove calcium deposits, accretions and stain by deep scaling, root planing and curettage under local anesthetic; and polish the teeth and apply fluoride for caries prevention and hypersensitivity.
• The Dental Hygienist shall work in conjunction with periodontal consultants and staff dentist in the treatment of patients with advanced periodontal disease requiring periodontal treatment including surgery, and assist in the pre and post operative care of these patients by providing deep scaling, curettage and root planning with ultrasonic and hand instruments : remove restoration overhangs and polish restorations, chart periodontal tissues, examine and chart pocket depths, inspect radiographs and record bone heights, disclose plaque and rate oral hygiene and plaque control.
• The Dental Hygienist shall instruct patients at chairside in oral hygiene, brushing and flossing techniques, and periodontal aids which increase the amount of stimulation to the teeth. The Dental Hygienist shall also plan and adapt instructions in home care techniques, tailoring them to the oral hygiene needs and oral problems of individual patients. The Dental Hygienist shall explain to patients the cause of periodontal disease and tooth decay, and the importance of diet and hygiene as it relates to oral and systemic health.
• The Dental Hygienist shall take radiographs on patients including bitewing, periapical, and panoramic x-rays. The Dental Hygienist shall make necessary adjustments and select the type of radiograph that is necessary for the patient's mouth. The Dental Hygienist shall also prepare, clean and provide maintenance to the x-ray equipment according to infection control and RME guidelines.
• The Dental Hygienist shall manage a dental disease prevention program for patients with special problems, such as pre and post treatment follow-up for maxillofacial patients, patients scheduled for radiation treatment; renal dialysis; neuropsychiatric; severe psychological and medical problems; stroke patients; diabetic patients; and drug and alcohol rehabilitation patients.
• The Dental Hygienist shall remove sutures, replace dressings, and take impressions for study casts. The Dental Hygienist shall also construct mouth guards or special trays for the application of fluoride in post radiation oral cancer patients.
• The Dental Hygienist shall maintain the patient recall system to insure continuous, close follow-up treatment for each patient involved in the dental prevention program.
• The Dental Hygienist shall be required to use VAGLAHS Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) and (Dental Record Manager Plus) DRM Plus to input patient dental activity data and reports.
• The Dental Hygienist shall maintain and clean dental equipment, instruments and assigned spaces according to current Infection Control policies, OSHA and RME guidelines, including, but not limited to, dental chair / unit maintenance, equipment inventory, instrument inventory, and supply management in the operatory and supply rooms.

Requirements

Salary Description

$95,000 - $112,000