Finance and Administration

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASS

The DENTAL HYGIENIST, under the supervision of a licensed dentist,
trains patients in dental hygiene and renders preventive and therapeutic oral prophylaxis. Some employees in this
class provide chairside dental assistance and, if licensed for expanded functions, may take patient x-rays and
administer local anesthetic agents.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This is a single classification and not currently part of a series
of classes.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Oral Prophylaxis.
   Typical tasks: under the general supervision of a dentist, removes calcareous deposits, accretions, and stains
   from teeth by scaling accumulation of tartar from teeth and beneath margins of gums using rotating brush, rubber
   cap, and cleaning compound; performs root planing and curettage; renders fluoride treatments and polishes exposed
   tooth surfaces using rotating cap and polishing compounds; applies topical anesthetic and desensitizing agents;
   makes preliminary intra- and extraoral examinations and charts conditions of decay or disease for diagnosis and
   treatment by a dentist; places or removes periodontal dressings; removes matrixes and rubber dams.
   
2. Dental Hygiene Education.
   Typical tasks: instructs and demonstrates to patients or students of various age levels proper care of the mouth
   and teeth; promotes interest in the prevention of dental disease; some employees in this class instruct teachers,
   dental students, or institutional staff on the techniques of oral hygiene and dental health; may provide technical
   assistance in the planning of a dental health program through conference with professional superiors.
   
3. Dental Assisting.
   Typical tasks: under the supervision of a dentist, provides chairside dental assistance support to dentists, dental
   students, dental hygienists, or dental technicians; prepares work station, instruments, and materials; greets and
   escorts patient to the work station; retracts patient's cheek, tongue, or other parts of tissues during a dental
   operation; assists with the placement or removal of a rubber dam and accessories used for its placement and retention
   as directed by dentist; removes debris normally created and accumulated during or after operative processes by
   the use of vacuum devices, compressed air, mouthwashes, and water; prepares amalgams and adhesives; applies topical
   fluoride; sterilizes and wraps instruments; wipes down and cleans work station between patients; places matrix
   retainers for alloy and composite restorations; removes supragingival excess cement from crowns, bridges, and orthodontic
   appliances with hand instruments; polishes amalgam restorations; makes impressions as directed by the dentist.
   
4. Administrative Functions.
   Typical tasks: schedules and confirms patient appointments and recalls; prepares daily schedules and pulls charts
   for patients; checks charts for communicable diseases and advises dentist as necessary; under dentist's supervision,
   makes entries to patient charts to record examination findings or treatment procedures; some employees in this
   class process dental insurance forms, assist with patient billing and account collection, and prepare patient and
   office production statistics.
   

RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS

Employees in this class have daily in-person contact with patients
to provide oral prophylaxis or hygiene training and to schedule further treatment. Employees in this class have
daily in-person contact with dentists or dental students to assist with treatment of patients or discuss cases.
Some employees in this class have regular meetings with school faculty or medical staff during patient treatment
or in private to discuss patient needs.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Employees in this class are authorized by the Oregon Board of
Dentistry to practice dental hygiene on a patient under the authorization of a supervising dentist. Employees in
this class receive general supervision from a licensed dentist who daily reviews the hygienist's work through patient
review, charts, and informal or formal meetings with the employee. Work is evaluated for professionalism, thoroughness,
compliance with professional standards such as those of the American Dental Association, and effectiveness of treatment
as reflected in patient's well-being.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Positions in this class are primarily found in hospitals, clinics,
or health care facilities. They require the willingness to work in the environment associated with the position's
location and purpose. In addition, they require the willingness to maintain a sympathetic and understanding attitude
towards mentally ill, mentally retarded, handicapped, and physically ill patients. Some positions require the willingness
to work overtime, on-call, and/or rotating schedules.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Licensed by the Oregon Board of Dentistry as a
  Dental Hygienist.