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State of Washington Classified Job Specification

DENTAL HYGIENIST 1

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DENTAL HYGIENIST 1
Class Code: 292E
Category: Health Care


Definition

Performs oral prophylaxis and mouth X‑rays under supervision of a dentist; conducts a program of educating residents, staff, and parents in necessity for and techniques of keeping teeth clean; directs student dental hygienists.

Typical Work

Schedules and performs oral prophylaxis for prevention of periodontal disease using various scaling and polishing instruments; 

Performs oral radiographic surveys and charts existing oral conditions of patients; 

Gives individual patient instructions including tooth brushing techniques and dietary suggestions; 

Aids in planning and conducting a training program for personnel responsible for patients to teach them how to assist and train patients in oral hygiene; procures and develops dental health educational materials such as films, models, slides, and brochures; organizes and participates in meetings, conferences and study projects or group discussions on dental health; 

Provides consultation and guidance to parents or sponsors of patients or to community groups to promote dental health and education for outpatients; 

Assists in training and supervising dental hygiene students as they provide clinic services in a hospital or institution; 

Performs other work as required.

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of:  principles, techniques, terminology, and practices of dental hygiene; normal and abnormal conditions of the mouth; community health organizations and agencies concerned with dental health; preventive dental health services. 

Ability to: establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with professional and lay groups; speak effectively before groups and present information in a clear and concise manner; render prophylactic treatment to handicapped, mentally ill, or retarded patients.

Legal Requirement(s)

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

Desirable Qualifications

A valid Washington State license as Dental Hygienist.

Class Specification History

New class Effective November 1, 1964
Revised minimum qualifications October 12, 1973
Revised Title change (formerly Dental Hygienist) May 9, 1980
New class code: (formerly 54150) effective July 1, 2007

Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.