Definition: An entry-level dental hygienist is a licensed
professional who conducts clinical oral examinations, delivers education and
treatment for the maintenance of optimum oral health, and performs preventive
dental services as allowed by the Dental Practice Act.
A.
PROFESSIONALISM
A.1 Meets
requirements to maintain dental hygiene license
A.2 Obtains
and maintains CPR certification and required CEUs
A.3 Adheres
to laws and regulations; e.g., state, DHEC, OSHA
A.4 Maintains
confidentiality; e.g., HIPAA
A.5 Accepts
responsibility for professional actions
A.6 Keeps
abreast with new technologies and materials
A.7 Implements
professional terminology
A.8 Displays
professional conduct, appearance, and positive attitude
A.9 Practices
ethical behavior and integrity
A.10 Demonstrates
dependability
A.11 Demonstrates
positive teamwork with dentist and staff
A.12 Demonstrates
ability to accept change
A.13 Demonstrates
effective decision-making skills
A.14 Demonstrates
loyalty to profession and employer
A.15 Accepts
positive and negative feedback
B.
COMMUNICATION
SKILLS
BA. PATIENT
BA.1 Demonstrates effective communication skills; i.e., verbal and
nonverbal
BA.2 Practices active listening skills
BA.3 Utilizes appropriate grammar in communication
BA.4 Interprets medical/dental terminology
BA.5 Interacts positively with patients
BA.6 Establishes rapport with patient; e.g., empathy, sympathy, trust
BA.7 Answers
and addresses patients' questions and concerns with accuracy in a courteous,
informed and confident manner
BA.8 Communicates
appropriately with special needs patients; e.g., sensory impaired and
physically challenged
BA.9 Recognizes
and appropriately addresses psychological problems; e.g., bulimia and dementia
BA.10 Consults
with child's care giver about necessary dental treatment
BA.11 Communicates
with patient during appointment regarding procedure
BA.12 Follows
up on patient well-being via post-op calls
BB.
OFFICE
BB.1 Demonstrates effective communicate skills; i.e., verbal and
nonverbal
BB.2 Practices active listening skills
BB.3 Utilizes appropriate grammar in communication
BB.4 Interprets medical/dental terminology
BB.5 Demonstrates telephone etiquette
BB.6 Writes legibly
BB.7 Establishes rapport with dental team
BB.8 Processes and interprets correspondence with specialist and
physicians
C.
COMPUTER
APPLICATIONS
C.1 Utilizes dental software for data entry;
e.g., charting, clinical notes, patient records
C.2 Utilized dental software for digital
radiograph and photography
C.3 Schedules appointments and corresponds
with patients
C.4 Conducts research for patient education;
e.g., CASEY, Internet
D. ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT
D.1 Checks daily schedule and organizes and
reviews needed charts
D.2 Performs start-up and close-down
procedures
D.3 Prepares operatory; i.e., draping,
supplies, infection control, tray set ups
D.4 Maintains orderly and efficient work area
D.5 Makes accurate chart entries; i.e.,
complete, date, and sign
D.6 Demonstrates flexibility
D.7 Demonstrates time-management skills
D.8 Schedules and confirms appointments
D.9 Maintains effective recare system
D.10 Demonstrates knowledge of current practice
fees
D.11 Orders and maintains supplies
D.12 Participates in staff meetings
E. STERILIZATION AND INFECTION CONTROL (OSHA GUIDELINES)
E.1 Follows OSHA guidelines
E.2 Employs universal/standard precautions; e.g., wash hands, PPE
E.3 Prepares chemical disinfectants
E.4 Cleans and disinfects equipment and work areas
E.5 Demonstrates aseptic techniques before, during, and after each
patient procedure
E.6 Prepares instruments for selected sterilization techniques
E.7 Operates autoclave and dry heat sterilizers
E.8 Conducts spore tests
E.9 Disposes
of infectious materials according to biohazard protocol
E.10 Maintains
infection control records; e.g., OSHA, MSDS
F. PRETREATMENT PROCEDURES
F.1 Seats and prepare patient for dental procedure
F.2 Obtains and/or updates medical/dental history, insurance, and
HIPAA forms
F.3 Positions the patient, unit, and self for operator efficiency,
ergonomics
F.4 Takes and records vital signs
F.5 Recognizes and discusses the contributing factors of medical
conditions and treatment; e.g., diabetes, radiation, or premedication status
F.6 Recognizes
and discusses effects of medications on oral health
F.7 Performs
intraoral and extraoral examinations recognizing abnormalities and pathology
F.8 Charts
existing conditions in the oral cavity of the hard and soft tissue
F.9 Assesses
and records periodontal conditions; e.g., probe for pocket depths, bleeding
points, plaque score, and attached gingiva
F.10 Reviews
previous x-rays and determines need for current x-rays
F.11 Acquires
patient’s informed consent when needed
F.12 Recognizes
signs of physical abuse and reports to proper authorities
G. RADIOGRAPHIC PROCEDURES
G.1 Maintains asepsis during exposure and processing
G.2 Utilizes operator and patient radiation safety measures
G.3 Selects proper film size and techniques for patient's mouth
G.4 Exposes
diagnostic intraoral and extraoral dental radiographs
G.5 Processes
radiographic film according to darkroom protocol
G.6 Labels,
mounts, and stores diagnostic radiographs and duplicate as needed
G.7 Interprets
dental radiographs
G.8 Discusses
radiograph findings with patient in relation to hygiene treatment needed
H. TECHNICAL DENTAL HYGIENE PROCEDURES
H.1 Provides
individualized oral hygiene instructions, nutritional counseling and take-home
supplies
H.2 Monitors
use of nitrous oxide upon completion of certification exam
H.3 Administers
infiltration anesthetics if needed
H.4 Assists
in the administration of local anesthetics if required
H.5 Performs
proper instrumentation to remove hard and soft deposits from teeth and
supporting tissue
H.6 Performs
gross debridement
H.7 Operates
ultrasonic scaler as needed
H.8 Performs
root planing as needed
H.9 Operates
prophy jet
H.10 Polishes
and flosses teeth and fixes prosthesis
H.11 Polishes
amalgam restorations
H.12 Applies
pit and fissure sealants
H.13 Applies
topical medicaments; i.e., fluoride, anesthetics, and desensitizing agents
H.14 Performs
oral irrigation
H.15 Cleans and
polishes removable dental prosthetics
H.16 Recognizes
and removes excess cement and amalgam overhangs
H.17 Places
temporary restorations
H.18 Removes
sutures
H.19 Prepares,
applies, and removes surgical dressing
H.20 Places
and removes subgingival medicaments
H.21 Performs
basic dental assisting duties
H.22 Demonstrates
awareness of IV Sedation
H.23 Identifies
dental instruments
H.24 Records
concise findings, treatment plan, and treatment performed
I. NONTECHNICAL DENTAL HYGIENE PROCEDURES
I.1 Communicates patient's treatment needs with dentist
I.2 Recognizes scope of dental specialties and communicates
referrals
I.3 Dispenses medications per dentist's orders
I.4 Provides prescriptions per dentist's orders
I.5 Evaluates and recommends services and products; e.g.,
whitening procedures
I.6 Reinforces postoperative instructions
I.7 Dismisses patient and escorts to front office staff
J. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
J.1 Recognizes emergencies and implements proper procedures
J.2 Operates and maintains emergency equipment
J.3 Performs CPR procedures
J.4 Locates and utilizes MSDS sheets
K. EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE
K.1 Sharpens instruments
K.2 Cleans and lubricates handpieces and attachments
K.3 Cleans sterilizers, ultrasonic cleaner, and disinfecting
equipment
K.4 Maintains darkroom equipment and solutions
K.5 Practices preventive maintenance
K.6 Cleans evacuation system
L. DENTAL MATERIALS AND LABORATORY SKILLS
L.1 Identifies the properties and uses of dental materials
L.2 Mixes cements and impression materials
L.3 Takes impressions; e.g., study models, bleaching trays,
guards
L.4 Pours and trims study models
L.5 Makes whitening/bleaching trays
M. COMMUNITY DENTAL HEALTH
M.1 Demonstrates and promotes public relations; e.g., visiting hospital
and patients in nursing homes and sending appropriate greeting cards
M.2 Responds to the dental needs of the community
M.3 Identifies the dental health resources of the community
M.4 Participates in community dental health education and
activities
M.5 Assists dental hygiene students with clinical awareness and
training
|
ACRONYMS |
|
|
CEUs CPR DHEC HIPAA OSHA MSDS PPE |
Continuing Education Units Cardiopulmonary
Resuscitation Department of Health and
Environmental Control Health Insurance Portability
and Accountability Act Occupational Safety and
Health Administration Material Safety Data
Sheets Personal Protective
Equipment |
|
DACUM PANEL PARTICIPANTS |
|
PANELISTS Ms. Judith Griffin, Registered
Dental Hygienist, Office of Drs. Tom Stall and Stacy Waddell, Ms. Gayle Hembree,
Registered Dental Hygienist, Retired, Ms. Carrie Jones,
Registered Dental Hygienist, Office of Dr. Lewis Cauthen, Ms. Indira L. Jones,
Dental Hygienist, Office of Dr. Raymond Jokubaitis, Ms. Adrienne S. Long,
Dental hygienist, Office of Drs. Bateman and Schramm, Ms. Heidi Lubben, Registered Dental Hygienist, Office of De. Jeff T.
Blank, Ms. Ann B. Penny,
Registered Dental Hygienist, Office of
Dr. Robert Penny, DMD, Mrs. April Stevens,
Registered Dental Hygienist, Heath Springs Dental Associates, Ms. Caroline Thomas,
Dental Hygienist, Office of Dr. Nelson Eddy, DDS, |
|
FACILITATOR Mr. Hill, SC |
|
COORDINATOR/RECORDER Ms. Sylvia L. LaValle, CPS,
Administrative Specialist, Office of Dean of Learning Resources, |
|
PROGRAM MANAGER Mrs. Kathleen Peter,
Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting
Department Manager, |
Date/Location:
April 22, 2005
452 S. Anderson
Road
Rock Hill, SC
29730