Dental Hygienist

About Whitman-Walker Health

Whitman-Walker envisions a society where all persons are seen for who they are, treated with dignity and respect, and afforded equal opportunity to health and wellbeing. Through care, advocacy, research, and education, we empower all persons to live healthily, love openly, and achieve equality and inclusion. For over 40 years, we have been meeting the needs of our communities with the endless dedication of our diverse teams.

Job Summary

Provides high-quality routine dental hygiene care to dental patients at the Clinic, following a patient-centered model. Works with the Director of Dental Services, Staff Dentists, and the rest of the dental and medical care team to ensure comprehensive, culturally sensitive dental care to all clients of the Clinic.

Primary Essential Duties

• Provides routine dental hygiene care to dental patients, including the completion and updating of medical histories, complete periodontal chartings & probing, radiograph taking & processing, and scaling, prophylaxis, and root planning.
• Educates clients with regard to dental hygiene, including the creation of treatment and prevention plans to extend care between office visits.
• Provides outreach to the community, including participation in community education on issues related to HIV and LGBT oral health.
• Provides assistance during the orientation of new volunteer dentists and hygienists.
• Obtains continuing dental/medical education to include subjects of HIV and LGBT oral health.
• Other duties as assigned.

Core Duties

• Performs and behaves in accordance with Whitman-Walker’s mission, cultural norms, and core values of dignity, respect, affirmation, and humility.
• Maintains a respectful, non-judgmental, and compassionate manner with patients/clients/staff.
• Demonstrates excellent customer service by identifying and exceeding customer requirements.
• Adheres to Whitman-Walker policies and procedures, with special attention given to HIPAA requirements.
• Maintains data integrity through conscientious use of relevant tools and employing a system of checks and balances.
• Demonstrates organizational skills necessary to multi-task, meet deadlines and re-prioritize as needed.
• Participates in organizational quality and performance improvement activities.

Budget Responsibilities

None

Management Responsibilities

None

Knowledge, Skills, and Talents Required

• Knowledge of standard medical and dental office/clinic procedures, including specific knowledge of standards, protocols, and ethical guidelines related to the provision of dental hygiene care.
• Ability to conduct sensitive, empathetic interactions that respect the dignity and diversity of patients/clients/staff - including factors such as HIV status, race, ethnicity, ability, age, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
• Interpersonal skills necessary to de-escalate difficult client encounters.
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team structure by demonstrating the ability to collaborate and contribute to the team’s work.
• Ability to manage time and effort in order to meet strategic objectives.
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing excellent customer service, both internal and external.
• Knowledge of all applicable WWH policies and procedures.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Fluency in medical and dental terminology.
• Knowledge of healthcare information systems with the ability to adapt to new electronic medical records and population health platforms.
• Knowledge of eCW preferred.
• Flexibility to work various shifts, including afternoon, evening, and weekend shifts as necessary.

Education and Experience Required

• Must be a graduate of an accredited dental hygiene program or dental school, with licensure in the District of Columbia as a Dental Hygienist.
• Experience in HIV-related dental hygiene preferred.
• Experience working with an ethnically, culturally, and racially diverse work staff preferred; ability to work harmoniously with diverse groups of individuals required.

Working Conditions:

Working conditions for this position are normal for an office environment. Individual may be required to work evenings and/or weekends and organization events.

Physical Demands

• Lifting: No more than 20 lbs. and infrequently.
• Movement: Standing and sitting for long periods.
• Visual: Long periods on a computer.
• Concentration: Extended periods of engagement with computer systems where concentration is key to accuracy in data entry. Intermittent periods of engagement with a telephone system to respond to inquiries where concentration is key to task performance.
• Communication: Direct and indirect communication. Written and verbal competency.

The above job description is designed to indicate a general sense of the duties and expectations of this position. It is not to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties and responsibilities required. As the nature of our business demands change, so too, may the duties and responsibilities of this position. You may be required to perform other duties as requested, directed, or assigned.

Whitman-Walker is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate against applicants, its employees, or former employees on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, and gender identity. For accommodation in the application process, please contact Human Resources.