Dental Hygienist
UW CODE AND REPRESENTATIVE GROUP
18465 (NE S SEIU 925 HCP/LT)
22628 (NE H NI SEIU 925 HCP/LT)
BASIC FUNCTION
Perform expanded dental hygiene duties in a dental clinic or hospital setting.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Under general supervision, perform expanded dental hygiene technical and restorative dental procedures and periodontal therapy in conjunction with dental students, dentists and physicians.
TYPICAL WORK
Perform primary dental hygiene duties including: review patient health history; conduct preliminary oral examination including periodontal charting; take intra-oral photographs; expose and process x-rays; take vital signs; perform oral prophylaxis including sub-gingival and supra-gingival scaling, root planing and soft tissue curettage; apply fluoride treatments and
sealants; educate patients in oral hygiene procedures including dietary analysis; maintain patient records and recall systems;
Perform expanded dental hygienist duties including: administer local anesthesia (both infiltration and block anesthesia) and nitrous-oxide analgesia; apply and remove rubber dams; polish amalgam restorations, crowns and supra-gingival areas; place cement base, place amalgam matrix bands and wedges; condense and carve amalgam restorations; adjust occlusion; adapt
celluloid matrices for placement of composite- resins; insert and finish composite resin restoration; take impressions for diagnostic models; retract gingival tissue prior to impression; fabricate temporary restorations; adapt stainless steel crowns and perform other duties as provided by the State of Washington’s dental laws; scheduling patient appointments, establishing recall systems, and maintaining patient records;
Assist in the treatment of medically and physically compromised patients; under a dentist’s supervision implement appropriate treatment plans such as the provision of periodontal therapy in accordance with the patient’s needs;
Maintain clinic equipment and supplies; clean and sterilize equipment;
Instruct students in the role of the dental hygienist in the delivery of patient care;
May assist in patient management, data collection and analysis for research projects;
May conduct dental education courses;
Perform other related duties as required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Graduation from an accredited school of dental hygiene, AND a current license
to practice as a dental hygienist in the State of Washington.
Equivalent education/experience may substitute for all minimum qualifications
except when there are legal requirements, such as a
license/certification/registration.
CLASSIFICATION HISTORY
07/19/1974: New Class
10/06/1988: Revise Class/Title
07/02/1990: Revise MQ
06/01/2005: CSR Class Conversion