Dental Hygienist

• 25% Provide preventive hygiene services, under public health supervision, including oral health screening, education, fluoride applications, sealants, prophylaxis, and referral management with dental practices for treatment care.

• 20% Provide care coordination services, identifying patient needs, and reviewing patient health history.

• 15% Provide support and coaching for primary care teams and public health program teams on what they can do within their scopes of practices to deliver oral health interprofessional care such as risk assessments and fluoride varnish applications.

• 10% Develop and continue to strengthen professional relationships and partnerships with local referral partners and project partners.

• 10% Participate in quality improvement activities that facilitate the adoption of oral health interprofessional care in primary care practices and other public health settings, including but not limited to data collection, analyzing data and information, and coordinating team meetings.

• 10% Develop/or participate in community-based outreach initiatives such as health fairs, screening events, and other health promotion activities as needed.

• 10% Performs administrative duties including but not limited to managing supplies and inventory, progress reporting on grants, participating in academic and continuing education training programs, and attending community meetings. Provide all care in conjunction with accepted professional dental practices and standards.

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least one year of professional experience

• Experience collaborating with health professionals and community partners to address oral health needs and expand access to care.

• Active licensure by the South Carolina State Board of Dentistry 

• Certification in Basic Life Support

• An associate degree in dental hygiene 

• Bachelor’s degree or relevant public health experience (e.g., work in community health centers)

Department Preferences: 

An Associates degree in dental hygiene and licensure by the South Carolina State Board of Dentistry. Certification in Radiation Safety, Certification to Monitor Nitrous Oxide, Certification to Administer Infiltration Anesthesia and Certification in Basic Life Support.  Possess comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of modern oral hygiene and periodontal care.  

MUSC Physical Requirements:

(Note: The following descriptions are applicable to this section: Continuous - 6-8 hours per shift; Frequent - 2-6 hours per shift; Infrequent - 0-2 hours per shift)

Ability to perform job functions while standing. (Continuous)
Ability to perform job functions while sitting. (Infrequent)
Ability to perform job functions while walking. (Frequent)
Ability to climb stairs. (Infrequent)
Ability to work indoors. (Continuous)
Ability to work from elevated areas. (Infrequent)
Ability to work in confined/cramped spaces. (Frequent)
Ability to perform job functions from kneeling positions. (Infrequent)
Ability to bend at the waist. (Frequent)
Ability to twist at the waist. (Frequent)
Ability to squat and perform job functions. (Infrequent)
Ability to perform 'pinching' operations. (Infrequent)
Ability to fully use both hands/arms. (Continuous)
Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders.
Ability to fully use both legs. (Continuous)
Ability to reach in all directions. (Continuous)
Possess good finger dexterity. (Continuous)
Ability to maintain tactile sensory functions. (Continuous)
Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function. (Continuous)
Ability to lift and carry 50# , unassisted.
Ability to lift/carry patients to 350# (+/-), assisted.
Ability to lift objects from floor level to height of 36 inches, to 50#, unassisted.
Ability to lower objects, to 50#, from height of 36 inches, unassisted.
Ability to push/pull objects to 350#(+/-), unassisted.
Ability to maintain 20/40 vision, corrected. (Continuous)
Ability to see and recognize objects close at hand. (Continuous)
Ability to see and recognize objects at a distance. (Continuous)
Ability to match or discriminate between colors. (Continuous)
Ability to determine distance/relationship between objects; depth perception. (Continuous)
Good peripheral vision capabilities. (Continuous)
Ability to maintain hearing acuity, with correction. (Continuous)
Ability to hear and understand whispered conversations at a distance of 3 feet.
Must be ambidextrous.
Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements. (Continuous)
Ability to be qualified physically (by medical personnel) for respirator use, initially and annually.

Additional New Requirements:
Computer literacy.
Ability to work rotating shifts.
Ability to work overtime as required.
Ability to learn and use new processes, tools, equipment as required