Registered Dental Hygienist

Job Responsibilities

About Coastal Regional Center

Coastal Regional Center is a residential facility of the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs located in Summerville, SC serving residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Under limited supervision of the dentist, assesses consumer oral hygiene problems or needs, administers oral hygiene care to consumers, and educates patients and staff about oral health.

Responsible for attending continuing education courses to maintain or update skills. Renders care to patients when dentist is not on campus and ensures that the patient has had an oral evaluation within a year of the time that oral treatment is rendered to patients.

1. Records and reviews patient medical histories. Examines gums for sores and signs of disease. Cleans calcareous deposits, accretions, and stains from teeth and beneath margins of gums, using dental instruments.

Conducts pre-charting, takes pre-op and post-op vitals on patients. Brushes patient's teeth using Oral Rinse. Performs scaling, root planing, and prophylaxis on patients.

Ensures records are updated accordingly. Renders care to patients when dentist is not on campus and ensures that the patient has had an oral evaluation within a year of the time that oral treatment is rendered to patients.

2. Inspects teeth and soft tissue. Notes gingival health of both hard & soft tissues and pathology by recording probingdepths around teeth if possible.

Applies Fluoride varnish or other appropriate product Takes appropriate radiographs whenable to or as indicated by dentist.

Flosses patients. Ensures records are updated accordingly.

3. Assists Dentist as needed with patient care to include suctioning, operation preparation and clean-up, and sterilization Charts conditions of decay and disease for diagnosis and treatment by dentist.

4. Provides oral care education by demonstrating customized and proper home care techniques to consumers, caregivers, and staff, to specifically meet unique needs.

Provides nutritional counseling and provides tangible teaching tools, such as models and handouts. Conducts quarterly staff in-service and individual dental in-services to new clients or clients with continuous poor oral hygiene.

Participates in familiarization for each patient through organizing planned site visits to the dental clinic Renders care to patients when dentist is not on campus and ensures that the patient has had an oral evaluation within a year of the time that oral treatment is rendered to patients.

5. Participates on several campus committees. Creates, assesses, and revises special dental programs to include single plan documents, including guardian consent.

Presents Dental Support Plans with or without sedation to the Human Rights Committee for their approval. Maintains the information in the computer.

6. Renders care to patients when dentist is not on campus and ensures that the patient has had an oral evaluation within a year of the time that oral treatment is rendered to patients.

7. Responsible for the maintenance of dental equipment and SC Department of Public Health required records. Maintains dental equipment and sharpens and sterilizes dental instruments.

Conducts autoclave testing / cleaning, evaluates radiation exposure, and any other mandatory requirements. Assists with ordering supplies and scheduling appointments.

8. Performs additional duties as assigned.

The South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that includes :

• 15 days annual (vacation) leave accrual per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs

Minimum and Additional Requirements

An Associate degree in Dental Hygiene. Certification as a Dental Hygienist by the South Carolina Board of Dentistry.

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat symptoms and diseases related to dental hygiene to include symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

Skill in operating various dental equipment. Ability to plan and use time effectively. Ability to communicate clearly

and effectively both orally and in writing.

CPR Certification

Nitrous Certification

Additional Comments

About Our Agency : The South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN) is the state agency that plans, develops, coordinates, and funds services for South Carolinians with the severe, lifelong disabilities of intellectual disability and related disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and similar disability.

EEO Statement : DDSN provides affirmative action and equal opportunity in employment for all qualified persons regardless of race, color, sex including the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, national origin, age, religion, or disability.

• Employment Contingency : Employment is contingent upon our receipt of the following required pre-employment screenings : medical screening to include a drug screening;
• State and Federal background criminal record checks (to include FBI fingerprinting), SC Dept. of Social Services’ Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry screening, and CMS List of Excluded Individuals / Entities screening;

SC Dept. of Motor Vehicles Driving Record check; and a review of transcripts verifying educational credentials. We reserve the right to rescind this offer in the event minimum requirements are not met to include positions that require certifications and / or licensure, your application is incomplete or inaccurate, or our review of your background uncovers information, including opinions of previous employers and references, which cause us to conclude, at our sole discretion, that you are not suited for the position.

Immunization : If this position requires the applicant to work directly with DDSN consumers, a step PPD testing or QuantiFERON TB Gold testing must be completed prior to beginning employment.

All new employees who are healthcare providers are required to provide documentation of immunity or be immunized against measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis, Varicella and Hepatitis B prior to beginning employment.

State Disaster Plan : In accordance with the State's Disaster Plan, which includes hazardous weather, DDSN employees may be required to work in times of an emergency or disaster.

Employee Referral : The South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs supports a Referral Incentive Reward and a Retention Bonus program.

You may contact Human Resource for further information.

Supplemental Questions : Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment.

Please complete the State application to include all current and previous work history and education.

A resume may not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.