DENTAL HYGIENIST

SEARHC is a non-profit health consortium which serves the health interests of the residents of Southeast Alaska. We see our employees as our strongest assets. It is our priority to further their development and our organization by aiding in their professional advancement.

Working at SEARHC is more than a job, it’s a fulfilling career. We offer generous benefits, including retirement, paid time off, paid parental leave, health, dental, and vision benefits, life insurance and long and short-term disability, and more.

Assist the SEARHC Dental Division in delivering optimum age specific prevention and curative periodontal and dental care for the SEARHC patient population. The employee of this position performs hygiene services on infants, children, adolescents, adults, and geriatric patients. Also includes traveling to local and remote sites (on small aircraft) to provide dental hygiene services throughout the year.

1. Provide age specific patient education in the prevention and control of oral disease stressing the importance of oral hygiene and home care. Counsels patients regarding nutrition.
2. Examination of oral tissues, performs deep scaling, root planning, coronal polishing of teeth, and applies topical fluoride. Measures and marks periodontal pockets. Performs x-rays, record pulse, blood pressure and temperature.
3. Coordinates and conducts dental prevention activates, including health fairs, sealant clinics & Head Start clinics.
4. Maintains hygienist supplies and instruments, including sterilization of instruments
5. Other related duties as assigned.

Education

• Graduate of Two-year Dental Hygiene Program
• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Pass the National Board Examination for Dental Hygienist

License/Certification

• Current Alaska Dental Hygiene License preferred.
• If not Alaska licensed, current Dental Hygiene License in another state is required and must obtain Alaska Dental Hygiene license within 6 months of hire.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge:

• Working knowledge of proper infection control techniques
• Understanding of the principles of dental and periodontal disease and appropriate treatment therapies
• Working knowledge of the proper use of dental instruments

Skills:

• Clinical hygiene skills
• Oral and written communication ability
• Accurate clinical judgment

Abilities:

• Physically able to sit over patient for hours at a time
• Dexterity with hands