Dental Hygienist

(PC 02-5015-001)

About FCHC:

Since 1976, Florida Community Health Centers, Inc. (FCHC) has been a health care leader in Florida. We provide comprehensive primary and specialty health care and patient support services through a network of Centers surrounding Lake Okeechobee and across Florida’s Treasure Coast. Our mission is to ensure that everyone in our communities has access to culturally competent, high-quality health care that they can afford. FCHC has locations in Clewiston, Moore Haven, Okeechobee, Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie, Stuart, Indiantown, Pahokee and West Palm Beach. FCHC’s Corporate Office is centrally located in West Palm Beach, Florida. FCHC has multiple staff members who speak Spanish and Creole, and translation is available for other languages as needed. FCHC has created a “one-stop shop” for patients–providing Pediatric and Adult Primary Care, Dental, OB/GYN and Women’s Health, Infectious Disease, Behavioral Health, Pharmacy, chronic disease education and care management, referral assistance, benefit enrollment assistance and coordination, and telehealth services. Our patients benefit from a “medical home” model, where they may access our extensive array of health care clinicians and services in an atmosphere where they are treated with respect, care, and concern.

Mission

The Mission of Florida Community Health Centers, Inc. (FCHC) is to provide accessible, cost-effective, high-quality, comprehensive health care to all persons in our communities.

Vision

Florida Community Health Centers, Inc. (FCHC) will maintain strong leadership in, and advocate for, the provision of health care services.

FCHC will foster and promote collaborative relationships and will develop partnerships with local, state, and federal public health service agencies and the community in general, to enhance the quality of delivery systems for comprehensive health care. FCHC will be an employer of choice and will demonstrate excellence with a highly trained staff and governing board.

Values

FCHC values Integrity, Compassion, Commitment to serving others (external and internal to the organization), Innovation, Effectiveness (cost and outcome), Efficiency, being Mission-driven, Commitment to serving others internal to organization and Commitment to Excellence.

Role and Responsibilities

• Perform dental prophylaxis: remove plaque/calculus deposits supra and sub gingival, as well as accretions and stains from teeth using dental hand instrument/ultrasonic scalers.
• Visually examine gingival tissues for indications and signs of disease. Examine gingival tissues using periodontal probes to locate periodontal pockets and areas of inflammation. Chart corresponding values in Periodontal Charting Form. Confer with Dental Provider all relevant findings and recommend appropriate treatment plan/medications.
• Polish teeth and apply fluoride as well as other cavity preventing agents to arrest dental decay.
• Apply sealants and check for adherence or occlusion
• Visually examine and check all areas of the mouth to detect swelling, infection, and or lesions that indicate presence of oral cancer and other conditions. Palpate lymph nodes under chin and note any abnormal findings.
• Asses and Chart conditions of decay and disease for diagnosis and treatment by dental provider
• Take Alginate impressions for study casts, night/mouth guards.
• Take, expose and develop x-ray films for radiographic interpretation.
• Educates patients regarding oral hygiene and preventive oral care
• Evaluates outcomes of educational strategies and clinical procedures provided.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Active Florida State Dental Hygienist License
• Associates Degree from an accredited college/university or program
• Maintain current BLS Certification
• Cross-Cultural Sensitivity including the ability to deal with individuals from different cultures and backgrounds

Additional Notes

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive, and employee will also perform other reasonable related business duties as assigned by supervisor.

* This organization reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.