Dental Hygienist
California State Personnel Board Specification
Schematic Code: TH30
Class Code: 8128
Established: 04/25/1973
Revised: 10/21/1993
Title Changed: --
Definition
Under direction and supervision of a licensed dentist in a State facility, assists dentist in providing oral health care to patients; develops and conducts an educational preventive oral health program for patients and concerned institutional personnel; and performs a variety of dental supportive procedures required to provide quality dental health care; and to do other related work.
Typical Tasks
Removes all supragingival and subgingival traces of dental calculus, deposits, accretions, and stains from the teeth with hand and mechanized instruments; conducts instrumental examination of teeth and surrounding tissues for carious lesions, pulp vitality, periodontal pockets, and other abnormal conditions; exposes and processes dental roentgenograms; applies topical fluoride to teeth after scaling and polishing; administers prescribed medications to the gingiva; applies prescribed desensitizing agents; performs periodontal soft tissue curettage; performs oral prophylaxis and instructs patients in oral hygiene; may provide bedside prophylaxis; motivates patients to accept and follow professional dental advice; sizes stainless steel crowns and temporary crowns; removes sutures; removes post extractions and periodontal dressings; provides temporary cementation and removal of temporary crowns; may administer local anesthetic agents; conducts classes in oral hygiene for Dental Assistants and nursing service personnel and others responsible for personal oral hygiene; obtains and records basic medical and dental histories and information; records evaluation of mouth condition and extent of prophylaxis on dental chart; maintains dental records; cleans, sharpens, and sterilizes instruments.
Minimum Qualifications
Possession of the legal requirements to practice as a Dental Hygienist as determined by the California Board of Dental Examiners. (Applicants who are in the process of securing approval of their qualifications by the Board of Dental Examiners will be admitted to the examination, but they must possess all legal requirements as determined by that Board before they will be eligible for appointment.)
Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of: Methods and principles of dental hygiene and skill in their application; dental histology; dental radiography; anatomy; physiology; microbiology; pharmacology; anesthesia.
Ability to: Tactfully obtain cooperation of patients; instruct patients and institutional staff in oral hygiene techniques; motivate patients to accept and follow professional dental advice; identify pathological conditions.
Additional Desirable Qualification
Should possess willingness to work in a demanding institutional setting.
