Dental Hygienist

An excellent opportunity exists to work for a government contractor with competitive compensation and work-life balance. Posterity Group is seeking experienced Dental Hygienists at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. 

Locations include: 

• VA Greater Los Angeles Hospital 11301 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA  90073 
• VA Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center   16111 Plummer Street North Hills, CA  91343 
• Bakersfield CBOC   1801 Westwind Drive Bakersfield, CA  93301 
• Santa Maria CBOC   1550 East Main Street Santa Maria, CA  93454 
•  Los Angeles ACC  351 East Temple Street Los Angeles, CA 90012
• Captain Rosemary Bryant Mariner Outpatient Clinic 5250 Ralston Street Ventura, CA 93003

•  The Dental Hygienist shall receive scheduled patients, complete preliminary  dental examinations on new dental service patients and review patients medical  and dental history for evidence of past and present conditions such as mental  illness and use of drugs, which may complicate or alter dental hygiene treatment.  
• The Dental Hygienist shall examine the teeth and surrounding tissue for  evidences of plaque and periodontal disease and chart findings.  The Dental  Hygienist shall inspect the mouth and throat for evidence of disease such as oral  cancer; interpret routine x-rays to identify tooth structures, calculus, and  abnormalities such as cavities, traumatic occlusion, and suspicious lesions to  present to the dentist.  
• The Dental Hygienist assignments at this level include but are not limited to:  patient medical assessment (e.g. medical/dental history, social history, vital  signs, full periodontal assessment and charting), disease and treatment  management recommendations, denture care, scaling and root planing,  radiographs/image interpretation, patient education (e.g. post-procedure, tobacco  cessation, caries and perio-disease prevention), behavior management,  management of stable medically compromised patients (including risk factors),  instrument sharpening, and inter-service communication.  
•  The Dental Hygienist shall render routine and advanced prophylactic treatment  on ambulatory patients; remove calcium deposits, accretions and stain by deep scaling, root planing and curettage under local anesthetic; and polish the teeth  and apply fluoride for caries prevention and hypersensitivity. 
•  The Dental Hygienist shall work in conjunction with periodontal consultants and  staff dentist in the treatment of patients with advanced periodontal disease  requiring periodontal treatment including surgery, and assist in the pre and post  operative care of these patients by providing deep scaling, curettage and root  planning with ultrasonic and hand instruments: remove restoration overhangs and  polish restorations, chart periodontal tissues, examine and chart pocket depths,  inspect radiographs and record bone heights, disclose plaque and rate oral  hygiene and plaque control.  
•  The Dental Hygienist shall instruct patients at chairside in oral hygiene, brushing  and flossing techniques, and periodontal aids which increase the amount of  stimulation to the teeth. The Dental Hygienist shall also plan and adapt  instructions in home care techniques, tailoring them to the oral hygiene needs  and oral problems of individual patients. The Dental Hygienist shall explain to  patients the cause of periodontal disease and tooth decay, and the importance of  diet and hygiene as it relates to oral and systemic health.  
•  The Dental Hygienist shall take radiographs on patients including bitewing,  periapical, and panoramic x-rays.  The Dental Hygienist shall make necessary  adjustments and select the  type of radiograph that is necessary for the patient’s  mouth.  The Dental Hygienist shall also prepare, clean and provide maintenance  to the x-ray equipment according to infection control and RME guidelines.  
•  The Dental Hygienist shall manage a dental disease prevention program for  patients with special problems, such as pre and post treatment follow-up for  maxillofacial patients, patients scheduled for radiation treatment; renal dialysis;  neuropsychiatric; severe psychological and medical problems; stroke patients;  diabetic patients; and drug and alcohol rehabilitation patients.  
• The Dental Hygienist shall remove sutures, replace dressings, and take  impressions for study casts. The Dental Hygienist shall also construct mouth  guards or special trays for the application of fluoride in post radiation oral cancer  patients.  
• The Dental Hygienist shall maintain the patient recall system to insure  continuous, close follow-up treatment for each patient involved in the dental  prevention program.   
• The Dental Hygienist shall be required to use VAGLAHS Computerized Patient  Record System (CPRS)  and (Dental Record Manager Plus) DRM Plus to input  patient dental activity data and reports.  
• The Dental Hygienist shall maintain and clean dental equipment, instruments and  assigned spaces according to current Infection Control policies, OSHA and RME  guidelines, including, but not limited to, dental chair/unit maintenance,  equipment inventory, instrument inventory, and supply management in the  operatory and supply rooms.  

•  An Associate Degree or higher in an accredited dental hygiene program. 
• This program  shall be accredited by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental  Accreditation (COD).  A current unrestricted license from the State of California  
• Certification. Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic  procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75. Essentially, they must  have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards  described in that regulation and is accredited by an organization recognized by the  Department of Education and be certified as radiographers in their field. Accredited  dental hygiene programs contain curriculum addressing radiologic procedures which will  meet the requirement for certification as a dental radiographer 
• A minimum of 1 year experience as a Dental Hygienist  
• A current BLS and or/CPR card  
• A current BLS and or/CPR card  

About the company

Posterity Group is a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business that provides all manner of medical staff to the Federal, State, and commercial customers.

Job ID: 9678931 / Ref: d91230bfb8230cbe9ebbe9a6a625bedc