Dental Hygienist - Family Practice
About the Employer
Dental Hygienist, Penn Dental Family Practice
Job Title
Dental Hygienist
Job Summary
Penn Dental Medicine’s Family Practice (PDFP) is interested in hiring the best and brightest dental hygienists - who are looking to broaden their skill sets and gain valuable experience in the art and science of the dental field. Together, the team works collaboratively to provide multi-specialty care utilizing leading techniques in patient care.
Ideal Candidate
Ideal candidates must:
1. Be ready to have a voice on a highly collaborative team
2. Stay thirsty and always seek to learn and improve upon patient service and clinical practice
3. Smile…because we make people smile!
Job Description
As a member of the PDFP family, individuals are provided the opportunity to work alongside a team whose mission is to provide quality dental care which exceeds patient expectations.
Prepares patient for dental hygiene treatment by setting up and breaking down operatory, as well as nitrous units when needed Supports dentist with nitrous oxide unit set-up and monitoring levels through duration of patient appointment Ensures that operatories are well supplied with necessary supplies Handles sharpening, sterilization, and maintenance of all instruments and equipment Escorts patients to and from operatories Helps to acquaint patients with preventive care-oriented practice philosophy Helps to maintain and manage patient recall system Performs thorough oral prophylaxis (cleanings) on scheduled patients which include proper use of ultrasonic cleaning devices, scaling instruments, polishing and flossing Conducts dental and periodontal assessments, providing oral cancer screening, charting conditions of decay and disease (via Axium), capturing digital images (via MIPACS) and documenting interventions performed electronically by recording vital signs, clinical notes and procedures. Arrests dental decay by applying topical fluorides and occlusal sealants on indicated patients, recommending cavity-preventing agents as needed Educates and motivates patients by giving oral hygiene and plaque control instructions, presents and explains treatment plans to patients, demonstrates effective communication to bridge the gap between a pending treatment plan and a completed treatment plan, provides postoperative instructions and schedules and subsequent visits. Explains treatment alternatives to patients Reviews and revises patient histories and record patient’s vital signs Charts existing restorations on new patients and notates clinical evidence of disease presence Records specific treatment performed on patient chart, as well as other patient information as needed. Provides digital x-rays and chairside assistance when available, as needed Helps to reconfirm and appoint patientsOperations
Maintain patient confidence and protect operations by keeping information confidential
Maintains safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations.
Protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols.
Conserves dental resources by using equipment and supplies as needed to accomplish job results; monitors inventory; maintains proper usage and operations of equipment.
Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.
Experience/Education
An Associate’s degree or two-year college equivalent and 3 years to 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
CPR certification required.
Employment clearance through the state of PA to work on/with children: as determined through Pennsylvania criminal background check, Pennsylvania child abuse clearance and FBI fingerprinting database is required.
Experience with Axium preferred.
Ability to accommodate different scheduling requirements based on the operational needs of the Penn Dental Family Practice.
Professional Attributes
Positive energy and enthusiasm, with a strong commitment to exceeding patient and team expectations
Flexibility and openness to work as a team in a variety of roles, assignments and duties
Team player: A strong desire to be an active, long-term participant in the growth and success of the practice
Ability to adapt and learn quickly, make an immediate, sustainable impact, and provide value-added service to patients and team
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, displaying the ability to connect and build relationships with team members/peers and patients
Confidence in professional aptitude and ability to effectively convey skills, knowledge and qualifications to patients
Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Department / School
School of Dental Medicine
Pay Range
$31.55 - $45.00 hourly rate
University Benefits
Health, life, and flexible spending accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare.
Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s basic, matching, and supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
Time away from work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family-whatever your personal needs may be.
Long-term care insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
Wellness and work-life resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
Professional and personal development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
University resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of university resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the university’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples.
Discounts and special services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you’ll find great deals for university faculty and staff. Not only do Penn Arts and Cultural Centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
Flexible work hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.
Special Requirements
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.