State of Connecticut Executive Branch

Dental Hygienist 2 (35 Hour) (7161HC)

$31.68-$42.26 Hourly / $2,217.13-$2,957.97 BiWeekly /
$57,867.00-$77,203.00 Yearly

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In state facilities this class is accountable for providing clinical dental hygiene services, including dental health assessments of individuals, training of individuals and staff in the implementation of dental health care plans, and providing consultation.

GUIDELINES FOR JOB CLASS USE

This class is used in the following ways:
  • Where the incumbent serves as "team" or "cottage" dental hygienist.
  • Where the incumbent is the sole dental hygienist for a program or facility and has administrative responsibility for managing the dental health services program under limited supervision from a dentist.
  • Where the main function of the position is to develop and provide formal dental health or hygiene training programs for both individuals and staff.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the limited supervision of a Dentist or Lead Dentist

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Functionally supervises the implementation of a dental hygiene program, which includes the instruction, follow up and monitoring of all staff members involved with the oral hygiene care of individuals.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Performs clinical dental services including dental prophylaxis, facial and oral tissue screenings, oral cancer screenings, topical fluoride treatments, blood pressure evaluations, taking and processing radiographs, charting abnormalities, screening individuals for systemic diseases which may appear in the oral cavity;
  • Conducts dental health assessments;
  • Develops and implements dental hygiene care plans;
  • Provides admission and discharge dental hygiene assessments including plans for continuing care;
  • Does nutritional counseling;
  • Reviews diets and nutritional needs of individuals;
  • Provides functional supervision of staff members involved in dental care of individuals, which includes creation of an awareness among staff of signs and symptoms of dental diseases and procedures for prevention of same, showing ward staff how to maintain oral health of individuals who cannot care for themselves, and providing centralized inservice dental education and training to individuals and staff;
  • Implements dental care programs, and sets goals to meet needs of each individual;
  • Consults with and makes recommendations to dentist concerning dental health needs;
  • Investigates problems arising from dental care programs as relayed by staff or departments;
  • Maintains dental records and recall system to assure individuals treated regularly;
  • Assures dental care services comply with ICF regulations;
  • Provides dental hygiene input into interdisciplinary health care plans and individual programs;
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Considerable knowledge of
    • principles and practices of dental hygiene, dental hygiene administration and dynamics of behavior, particularly the behavior of difficult and multi-handicapped individuals;
  • Considerable
    • interpersonal skills;
    • oral and written communication skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of experience as a dental hygienist.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a license as a Registered Dental Hygienist in Connecticut.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be required to lift and restrain individuals and may be exposed to disagreeable conditions, communicable diseases and risk of injury from assaultive and/or abusive individuals.

JOB CLASS DESIGNATION

Classified/Non-Examined

OCCUPATIONAL GROUP

(21)-Medical, Dental, Veterinary Medicine

BARGAINING UNIT

(11)-HEALTH PROF (P-1)

EEO

(3)-Technician

SALARY INFORMATION

HC 19

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.

CANCELLATION CLAUSE

This replaces the existing specification for the class of Dental Hygienist 2 (35 Hour) in Salary Group HC 19 approved effective October 18, 2019. (Revised to modify minimum qualifications, add acknowledgement section, and modify content) Final No. 23-009

EFFECTIVE DATE

1/10/2023
CLASS: 7161HC; EST: 7/8/1983; REV: 1/11/2023;