The incumbent serves as a Dental Hygienist and participate in the execution of a VISN-wide preventive dentistry program. The program will extend over the Dental Services throughout the VA Chicago Healthcare Systems as well as at Hines VA Hospital. The program is designed to provide comprehensive oral health education and dental hygiene treatment to diverse patient groups with assistance from members of the Dental Service and the medical staff throughout the hospital Plans, coordinates and conducts preventive oral health programs for various patient groups such as diabetic, cancer psychiatric, geriatric, alcoholic and physically handicapped patients. Develops and revises oral health instructional materials and education techniques for varied levels of the mental and physical capabilities of each patient group. Uses resources available within the hospital and materials acquired from research, professional dental associations and schools of dental hygiene, develops and presents oral health lectures, demonstrations and visual displays to patient groups and hospital personnel. Develops methods and carries out studies for evaluation the effectiveness of the preventive dentistry program and modifies subject matter content and instructional methods according to the results of evaluation data and new developments in the field of dental hygiene. Administers oral prophylactic and dental hygiene treatment to patients presenting a variety of abnormal conditions, such as cancer patients, who require extensive follow-up and critical management. Applies advanced technical procedures in the prophylactic and periodontal scaling dental treatment. Reviews medical records and takes dental histories, review patients' dietary habits, administers caries prevention agents, desensitizes root surfaces, root planning, takes and pours impressions for study casts, removes sutures, and instructs the patients in home care therapy and proper diet as it relates to oral health. Uses ultrasonic periodontal instruments and in the skills and techniques of other high-speed instrumentation (cavitron). Utilize dental radiographs to determine subgingival calculus and any other oral pathology and defective restoration which may exist. Maintains and cleans the equipment used, i.e., unit, chair, sterilizers, and cabinets, and sterilizes the instruments used in the performance of duties, according to dental infection control guidelines. Train in and receive certificate from a certified program in "Local Anesthesia for Dental Hygienists." Performs gingival curettage. Work Schedule: M-F 7:30am-4:00pm Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
