Dental Hygienist, Offutt AFB, Bellevue, NE

Offutt AFB is located in Bellvue, Nebraska.  In Nebraska, we believe that you  make your own fun like riding horseback on an honest-to-goodness ranch. Witnessing a Native American powwow. Attending a concert under Nebraska's night sky. Spending family time at a zoo or water park. Chasing pioneers, cowboys and historic sites along scenic byways. Relaxing in state parks, recreation areas and golf courses with epic views, from sparkling lakes and rivers to wide-open plains to monumental bluffs. Bellevue is a city of about 70,000 that is booming with energy & excitement, surrounded by the natural beauty of the Great Plains. 

Working for the Department of Defense comes with an abundance of benefits and perks to include competitive compensation packages, paid-time off, medical benefits, student loan repayments, and retirement package with Thrift Savings Plan to include matching employer contributions. For more information, please visit the following link: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/benefits/

POSITION DUTIES:

DUTY 1: 

Performs specialized dental hygiene procedures on patients with or without topical/local anesthetics. Performs various advanced and specialized oral prophylactic and preventive dental hygiene procedures on patients to include, ambulatory and non-ambulatory, medically, mentally, physically compromised, and dental phobic patients. Plans and carries out dental hygiene treatment according to patient needs coordinating independently with medical/dental personnel as necessary. Measures periodontal pocket depths. Administers topical anesthetics and/or local anesthesia and performs deep subgingival scaling, root planning, and subgingival curettage procedures. Provides therapeutic care in cases of acute gingivitis and periodontal disease. Polishes teeth and applies topical fluoride for hypersensitivity and caries prevention. At the direction of the dentist, performs various expanded function duties to include: taking intraoral impressions for construction of mouth guards or study models; utilizing teeth isolation techniques; placing occlusal pit and fissure sealants; fabricating/cementing temporary crowns; removing sutures; changing dressings; and applying topical anesthetics/medicaments. Cleans, sharpens, and sterilizes instruments. Follows approved infection control techniques/guidelines to ensure the dental treatment room and adjacent work areas have been properly cleaned and disinfected.

DUTY 2:

Completes all preparation for dental hygiene treatment and preliminary dental examination. Reviews each patient’s medical/dental history for evidence of medical conditions/illnesses and use of prescribed/over-the-counter drugs/herbs that may complicate or alter dental treatment. Examines the oral cavity and pharynx for evidence of plaque, calculus, periodontal diseases, caries, oral cancer and other mucosal conditions. Refers abnormalities such as cavities, traumatic occlusion, and suspicious lesions to the dentist. Measures and records patient’s blood pressure. Exposes intra-oral digital dental radiographs in accordance with accepted radiation safety standards. Interprets radiographs for diseases and conditions such as caries, calculus, and periodontal bone loss. Prepares and documents in the dental health record, dental hygiene treatment plans for patients including assessment of the condition, type of oral hygiene care required, and the sequence of appointments needed to complete treatment.

DUTY 3:

Conducts patient education and documents care rendered. Explains to patients the causes of periodontal disease and tooth decay and educates them on the need for daily oral hygiene to include brushing and flossing techniques. Develops teaching aids such as exhibits and displays to stimulate behavioral changes and to improve oral health. Plans and adapts specialized home care instructions, tailoring them to the individual needs of patients. Establishes, updates, and maintains office records of various types. Records in the patient dental health record: medical and dental patient history, oral conditions of teeth and surrounding tissues, hygiene treatment plan, therapy rendered, progress and outcome of therapy, maintenance interval and disposition of patients. Pulls and files dental health records. Uses automated appointment system to appoint, confirm, check-in, cancel, and reschedule patient appointments. Perform various administrative/clerical duties using a variety of automated systems and software.

DUTY 4:

Assists with the Clinical, Community Health and Family Member Children’s phases of the Air Force Preventive Dentistry program in accordance with Air Force guidelines. Coordinates aspects of Wing Dental Population Health activities to include High Caries Risk, Tobacco Use, and Base Water Fluoridation programs. In conjunction with the chief of the preventive dentistry element, oversees the Periodontal Maintenance program; schedules patients for periodontal maintenance recall visits. Prepares presentations for the community on dental disease/oral health and their relationship to systemic diseases or conditions (i.e., diabetes, prenatal, smoking cessation, etc.). In conjunction with the professional and preventive dentistry staffs, plans, coordinates, and presents table clinics, demonstrations, articles for print and broadcast, etc., for National Children’s Dental Health Month, Medical/Dental Health Fairs and wellness classes. Schedules and/or conducts monthly inventories of available dental home care aids/products at on-base facilities ensuring a broad selection is readily available to consumers. Regularly attends medical/dental meetings to communicate preventive dentistry program activities and solicit feedback on overall program effectiveness.

DUTY 5:

Provides dental hygiene training to other dental service personnel. Provides military dental technicians Phase II training in oral prophylaxis procedures until they are competent to perform the procedures unsupervised. Gives advice, counsel, or instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters. Identifies developmental and training needs of employees and provides for or arranges needed development and training.

Performs other duties as assigned.