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Department
Lowry Dental ClinicJob Summary
The Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) for Medical-Dental Integration (MDI) and Patient Services is responsible for MDI in the community medical clinics. The RDH will function as part of a multi-discipline healthcare team. Responsibilities include oral health assessment, application of fluoride, providing oral hygiene education, diagnosis of oral diseases, and treatment planning within the scope of practice of an RDH in Colorado. In addition, the RDH will provide preventive and therapeutic dental hygiene services including completing preventative prophylaxis cleanings, periodontal maintenance treatment, non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT), and placement of dental sealants on patients in either of the medical or dental clinics and for patients of all ages. Knowledge and utilization of portable dental equipment may be required at times. The RDH will also be responsible for completing medical and dental histories, taking necessary radiographs according to ALARA principles, taking and recording vital signs and pertinent medical history when indicated and ensuring the patient's periodontal and dental exams are up to date.
Essential Functions:
Works collaboratively with the pediatric and adult medical providers to complete a dental screening on patients identified by the medical provider on site, completes a Caries Risk Assessment (CRA) for all patients, offers oral hygiene education and a fluoride varnish application as indicated. (45%)
Patient care: Perform dental hygiene services in the community or school-based dental clinics to provide all-age patient care which would include all-encompassing care under the scope of practice of a RDH in Colorado. These duties would include those under the job description of a Community or School-Based Dental Hygienist at Denver Health. Performs dental hygiene assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning for dental hygiene services. Identifies dental abnormalities for immediate referral to a Denver Health (DH) community health clinic (CHC) dentist. Completes oral cancer screenings and takes intraoral images when indicated for appropriate referral and follow-up. Completes a Caries Risk Assessment (CRA) on all patients. (45%)
Administrative and Operational Duties: Patient documentation; RDH completes patient care notes within 72 hours of registration. Provides case management and patient care navigation which includes supporting treatment plan follow-up, insurance enrollment, appointment scheduling, referral management, transportation arrangement, and general patient education. When applicable, completes daily required maintenance of portable dental equipment. (10%)
Education:
Associate's Degree Dental Hygiene Required
Work Experience:
less than 1 year Direct clinical practice Required or
less than 1 year in a Medical-Dental Inegrated or school-based setting Required
Licenses:
Dental Hygienist - DORA - Department of Regulatory Agencies Required and
BLS-Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) - AHA - American Heart Association or American Red Cross Required and
LOCAL-Local Anesthesia - DORA - Department of Regulatory Agencies Required
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of dental hygiene procedures and techniques sufficient to be able to perform the full scope of preventive dental hygiene services, including dental hygiene diagnosis of dental disease, oral health screenings, oral cancer screening, oral-systemic health education, fluoride treatment, dental sealants, prophylactic cleanings, and NSPT, (scaling and root planning).
Critical thinking skills for determining when appropriate referrals are needed to dental specialists, medical care and/or behavioral healthcare.
Knowlege of trauma informed care practices willingness to provide equitable care in a system that provides LGBTQ+ affirming and culturally diverse healthcare.
Knowlege of motivational interviewing practices and ability to have effective coaching conversations with patients and their families around nutrition, oral-systemic health, oral diseases, home hygiene and substance use.
With the appropriate certification as determined by the Dental Practice Act: Prescribes and applies silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for arresting caries, dentinal hypersensitivity and caries prevention.
With the appropriate permit from the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) and as determined by the Dental Practice Act: After prescription of an interim therapeutic restoration (ITR) from a supervising dentist, places ITR on pediatric and adult patients.
Complies with Dental Practice Act for continuing education requirements.
Knowledge of ALARA principles for prescribing and capturing dental radiographs.
Shift
Work Type
PRN/IntermittentSalary
$80,000.00 - $120,000.00 / yr (Pay range listed is for 1.0 full-time equivalent (FTE). See Work Type for actual FTE)Benefits
At Denver Health, we take care of the people who take care of our community. Our benefits are built to support your life, your family, and your future — with exceptional retirement contributions, and nationally recognized well-being programs. We invest in your growth through tuition assistance, career advancement pathways, and professional development — while also offering meaningful financial advantages through loan forgiveness eligibility and employer contributions. When you join Denver Health, you’re joining a mission-driven organization that invests in you.
Here is a small list of our benefit programs:
Social security replacement retirement plan with employer contribution of 3%
On-site employee fitness center and wellness classes
Community resource navigation support
Childcare discount programs & exclusive perks on large brands, travel, and more
Education & development opportunities including career pathways and coaching
About Denver Health
Denver Health is an integrated, high-quality academic health care system considered a model for the nation that includes a Level I Trauma Center, a 555-bed acute care medical center, Denver’s 911 emergency medical response system, 10 family health centers, 19 school-based health centers, Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Safety, the Public Health Institute at Denver Health, Denver Health Medical Plan and Denver Health Foundation.
As Colorado’s primary, and essential, safety-net health care system, Denver Health is a mission-driven organization that has provided millions in uncompensated care for the uninsured each year.
Located near downtown Denver, Denver Health is just minutes away from many of the cultural and recreational activities Denver has to offer.
Denver Health is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We value the unique ideas, talents and contributions reflective of the needs of our community. All job applicants for safety-sensitive positions must pass a pre-employment drug test, once a conditional offer of employment has been made. Applicants will be considered until the position is filled.
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