Dental Hygienist

Class Concept

This is technical dental work in examining, cleaning, and instructing on the general care of the teeth. The dental hygienist may perform the following duties under the general supervision of a licensed dentist: examines teeth of patients and makes referrals to dentist if special professional care is indicated, applies topical fluorides and performs dental prophylaxis in the prevention of dental disease, records findings and maintains records on dental status and services rendered to patients, instructs patients on the proper care of teeth and recommends measures for the prevention of dental disease, and assists the dentist in planning and carrying out dental health programs; or may function in a role as a dental hygienist consultant/analyst.

Recruitment Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Considerable knowledge in the application of the techniques and practices of dental hygiene.
• Ability to secure the cooperation of the patient and to elicit required information.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions, and to interpret and maintain records and reports;
• Ability to deal tactfully with the public and to exercise good judgment in appraising situations and making decisions;
• Ability to work with other professional and support personnel in the performance of duties typical of the dental hygienist and assisting with other duties which may be of a lesser complexity.

Minimum Education and Experience

Licensed to practice as a dental hygienist in North Carolina.