SPECIFIC TASKS. Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Maintain a level of productivity comparable to that of other individuals performing similar
services.
2. Participate in peer review and performance improvement activities.
3. Practice aseptic techniques as necessary. Comply with infection control guidelines to include the
proper handling, storage, and disposal of infectious wastes, and the use of universal precautions
to prevent the spread of infection.
4. Function with an awareness and application of safety procedures.
5. Perform efficiently in emergency patient situations following established protocols, remaining
calm, informing appropriate persons, and documenting events. Anticipate potential
problems/emergencies and make appropriate interventions. Notify supervisor, director, or other
designated person regarding problems that Dental Hygienist is unable to manage.
6. Apply an awareness of legal issues in all aspects of patient care and strive to manage situations
in a reduced risk manner.
7. Participate in the implementation of the Family Advocacy Program as directed. Participation
shall include, but not be limited to, appropriate medical examination, documentation, and
reporting.
8. Exercise awareness and sensitivity to patient significant others' rights, as identified within the
MTF.
9. Maintain an awareness of responsibility and accountability for own professional practice.
10. Participate in continuing education to meet own professional growth.
11. Attend and/or comply with all annual training classes required by the Command, to include but
not limited to online annual training provided by the MTF: disaster training, infection control,
Sexual Harassment, Bloodborne Pathogens, Fire and Safety, Chemical, Biological, Radiological,
Nuclear and Explosives (CBRNE), and all other required training.
12. Actively participate in the command's Performance Improvement Program. Participate in
meetings to review and evaluate the care provided to patients, identify opportunities to improve
the care delivered, and recommend corrective action when problems exist.
13. Participate in the provision of in-service training to clinic staff members. Provide training and/or
direction as applicable to supporting government employees (e.g., hospital corpsmen, students,
etc.).
14. Attend and participate in various meetings as directed.
15. Perform timely, accurate, and concise documentation of patient care.
16. Operate and manipulate automated systems such as MHS Genesis, Powerchart, Dentrix, X-Ray
Vision, Clinical Information System (CIS) participate in clinical staff Performance Improvement
(P1) and Risk Management (RM) functions, as prescribed by the Commander. Maintain DOD
email account as directed. The Dental Hygienist shall be responsive to all email and voicemail
communications.
17. Exercise appropriate clinical direction of tasks and duties in the coordination of health care team
members, patient care, and clinic activities.
18. Maintain documentation of all treatment provided in accordance with clinic directives and
prepare such records and reports as may be required. All records and reports must be legible.
Abbreviations must be only those listed in the local instructions.
19. Dental Hygienist is to conduct themself in a professional and respectful manner when interacting
with patients, co-workers, and all other staff members.
20. Examine the patient's oral cavity to include mouth, throat, and pharynx, and record conditions of
teeth and surrounding tissues. Refer patients to the dentist who have abnormalities to include
cavities, defective fillings, suspicious growths, or periodontal disease.
21. Apply desensitizing and other topical agents to treat abnormalities to include caries prevention,
gingivitis and oral ulceration.
22. Instruct patients, individually and in groups, in proper oral hygiene care using materials to
include teeth models, displays, slides, toothbrushes, dental floss, disclosing tablets and mirrors.
Demonstrate proper techniques of brushing, flossing, and use of necessary periodontal aids.
Explain the common causes of tooth decay and its relationship to general diet.
23. Take impressions and construct sports/safety mouth guards and soft night guards for vital
bleaching.
24. Polish restorations and apply pit and fissure sealants.
25. Chair side dental assisting when directed by the Officer-In-Charge of the dental clinic.
26. Record patients treated. Check and maintain instruments to insure working condition. Clean,
sharpen, and sterilize instruments.
27. Patient Workload, Readiness, and Scheduling. Utilizes the Corporate Dental Application to enter
patient specific workload and readiness status and also for patient scheduling.
28. Dental Hygienist shall provide services within the scope of their competencies and the applicable
duties provided in the basic contract and the following.
29. Dental Hygienist shall provide services within the scope of their competencies and the applicable
duties provided in the basic contract and the following. Provide clinical direction to supporting
government employees assigned to him or her during the performance of clinical procedures.
Such clinical direction and interaction will comply with government and professional clinical
standards and accepted protocols. Dental Hygienist will be subject to guidelines set forth in the
Command's quality assurance and risk management instructions. Dental Hygienist shall perform
administrative duties that include maintaining statistical records of his or her clinical workload,
participating in dental education programs, preparing documentation for boards, and
participating in clinical staff quality assurance functions at the prerogative of the Commanding
Officer.
30. Inspect head and neck, examine mouth, throat and pharynx for evidence of disease such as oral
cancer and/or soft tissue pathosis.
31. Expose, develop and interpret radiographs to identify tooth structure, periodontal support and
other abnormalities such as periodontal bone loss, periapical pathosis, caries, defective
restorations, improper tooth contours and contact relationships.
32. Refer suspected medical conditions, hard and soft tissue abnormalities, caries, periapical and
periodontal pathosis and traumatic or suspicious lesions to the dental officer for evaluation.
33. Obtain blood pressure on patients presenting for treatment.
34. Perform subgingival scaling, root planning and curettage under local anesthesia administered by
a dental officer and perform topical fluoride applications.
35. Plan and adapt oral home care techniques to the specific need of the individual patient.
36. Monitor, provide technical direction and assist in training dental technicians involved in direct
patient care to perform scaling, prophylaxes, polishing procedures, fluoride applications and oral
home care instructions. This may include preparing and presenting scheduled lectures to staff.
37. Maintain a record of patient treatment and number of patients treated.
38. Record oral condition of teeth and supporting tissues, type of therapy provided and progress
notes.
39. Clean and maintain instruments and ensure their sterility.
40. Treat acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis.
41. Assist in Oral Diagnosis Sick call to include exposing and developing periapical, bitewing and
panoral radiographs.
42. Clean and maintain the work area to meet the clinic's standards and may be assigned other duties
as directed by the Commanding Officer, consistent with the normal duties of a dental hygienist
(not to include mopping, sweeping or taking trash to an industrial dumpster).
43. Administration of local anesthesia (infiltration and block anesthesia) is not a required
qualification; however, if the appropriate background training and credentials exist, clinical
privileges may be granted.
44. Maintain patient records in accordance with Joint Commission and DTF/MTF requirements.
45. Maintain operatory to meet the clinic's cleanliness and infection control standards. These clinical
duties will include mopping, sweeping assigned patient room and removing the trash to a
designated trash can/dumpster.
46. Dental Hygienist may participate in screenings for overseas active-duty service members, and
potentially their dependents regarding appropriate dental hygiene issues and dental health. Such
screenings may be accomplished by virtual means, including electronic image transmission of
beneficiaries and patients.
47. Dental Hygienist, in conjunction with dental hygienist responsibilities, agrees to complete
backgrounds in applicable states so that treatment of children under 18 may be permitted in the next
service generation