Lillian

The Registered Dental Hygienist – Periodontal and Implant Therapy provides professional Registered Dental Hygienist services within a periodontal and implant-focused specialty dental practice. The position is responsible for periodontal and peri-implant assessment, periodontal and peri-implant charting, preventive and therapeutic dental hygiene services, non-surgical periodontal and peri-implant therapy, periodontal maintenance, implant maintenance, oral hygiene instruction, patient education, and monitoring of periodontal and peri-implant health.

The Registered Dental

Hygienist – Periodontal and Implant Therapy works collaboratively with the periodontist, dentists, dental assistants, administrative staff, and other members of the clinical team to provide safe, effective, evidence-informed, and patient-centred periodontal and implant maintenance care. The employee shall perform all duties within the employee's education, training, competence, registration, authorization, and applicable scope of practice, and in accordance with the requirements and standards of the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario ("CDHO"), applicable legislation, professional standards, infection prevention and control requirements, and the policies and procedures of the practice.

Registered Dental Hygienist – Periodontal and Implant Therapy - Dr. David J. Diamond Dentistry Professional Corporation, operating as ‘Diamond Periodontics’ - 300 Lasalle Blvd., Sudbury, ON P3A 1W6

The duties and responsibilities include those customarily associated with the position of Registered Dental Hygienist, together with such other related duties and responsibilities as the Employer may reasonably assign from time to time, having regard to the Employee’s qualifications, training, experience, and the operational needs of the Employer.

• Obtain and review relevant medical, dental, periodontal, peri-implant and social history information.
• Update medical and dental histories as required.
• Identify health conditions, medications, allergies, and other information relevant to the safe provision of dental hygiene care.
• Conduct dental hygiene assessments within the hygienist's authorized scope of practice.
• Assess teeth and adjacent tissues as permitted within the scope of dental hygiene practice.
• Assess oral hygiene status, plaque and calculus accumulation, gingival condition, periodontal findings, and other relevant clinical indicators.
• Identify signs and symptoms that may require further assessment by the periodontist or dentist.
• Communicate relevant assessment findings to the treating periodontist or dentist.
• Document assessment findings accurately and in a timely manner.
• Complete comprehensive and/or appropriate periodontal charting as directed or clinically indicated.
• Record periodontal probing depths, bleeding, recession, mobility, furcation involvement, and other relevant clinical findings.
• Record plaque and oral hygiene findings.
• Monitor changes in periodontal health over time.
• Compare current findings with previous periodontal records where appropriate.
• Identify areas requiring further clinical assessment.
• Communicate significant or concerning findings promptly to the periodontist or dentist.
• Maintain complete and accurate periodontal records.
• The hygienist shall not communicate a diagnosis of periodontal or peri-implant disease unless otherwise authorized by law and within the hygienist's scope of practice.
• Provide scaling and root planing and other authorized periodontal hygiene procedures within the hygienist's scope of practice.
• Provide non-surgical periodontal therapy as clinically appropriate and authorized.
• Remove plaque, calculus, and other deposits using appropriate instrumentation and techniques.
• Perform periodontal debridement and maintenance procedures within the hygienist's authorized scope.
• Use appropriate instrumentation and techniques based on the patient's clinical condition.
• Monitor patient response to treatment.
• Communicate significant clinical findings or concerns to the periodontist.
• Document treatment provided and patient response.
• Where a controlled act requires authorization, the hygienist shall ensure that the required legal authority is in place before performing the act.
• Provide periodontal maintenance therapy for patients following active periodontal treatment.
• Provide ongoing supportive periodontal care in accordance with the patient's treatment plan.
• Monitor periodontal stability and changes in clinical findings.
• Reinforce appropriate oral hygiene practices.
• Evaluate plaque control and patient compliance with recommended home care.
• Identify areas of recurrent inflammation, bleeding, pocketing, or other concern.
• Communicate relevant findings to the periodontist.
• Recommend or arrange appropriate follow-up with the periodontist where indicated.
• Maintain appropriate periodontal maintenance intervals in accordance with the treatment plan and practice protocols.
• Provide professional maintenance care for dental implants within the hygienist's authorized scope.
• Assess peri-implant tissues and monitor peri-implant health.
• Assess plaque and calculus accumulation around implants.
• Provide appropriate professional implant debridement and maintenance using appropriate instruments and techniques.
• Follow practice protocols designed to protect implant and restorative surfaces.
• Provide individualized home-care instruction for implant patients.
• Educate patients regarding prevention of peri-implant disease.
• Monitor changes in peri-implant tissues.
• Communicate concerning findings to the periodontist or dentist.
• Document implant maintenance findings and treatment provided.
• Provide individualized oral hygiene instruction based on the patient's periodontal and implant status.
• Educate patients regarding plaque control and periodontal disease prevention.
• Demonstrate appropriate toothbrushing and interdental cleaning techniques.
• Recommend appropriate oral hygiene aids within the hygienist's professional scope.
• Educate patients regarding care and maintenance of dental implants and implant-supported restorations.
• Explain the importance of periodontal maintenance and regular professional care.
• Encourage patient participation and adherence to recommended home-care practices.
• Reinforce instructions provided by the periodontist or dentist.
• Provide appropriate post-treatment oral hygiene instructions.
• Communicate periodontal assessment findings to the periodontist or dentist.
• Assist the periodontist in monitoring patients undergoing periodontal treatment.
• Assist with implementation of treatment plans established by the periodontist.
• Monitor patient response to periodontal therapy and communicate relevant findings.
• Identify patients who may require reassessment by the periodontist.
• Coordinate with dental assistants and administrative staff regarding patient appointments and continuity of care.
• Assist in ensuring patients return for recommended periodontal maintenance.
• Communicate professionally with referring dentists where authorized and directed by the practice.
• The hygienist does not independently establish a diagnosis or alter the treatment plan established by the treating dentist or periodontist.
• Provide periodontal hygiene support before and after periodontal or implant procedures as directed and within the hygienist's scope.
• Reinforce oral hygiene and maintenance instructions following periodontal or implant procedures.
• Provide appropriate maintenance care following periodontal and implant treatment.
• Monitor oral hygiene and periodontal/peri-implant findings during follow-up visits.
• Identify and communicate concerns regarding healing, inflammation, bleeding, or other clinical findings to the periodontist.
• Assist in maintaining continuity of care between surgical treatment and ongoing periodontal maintenance.
• The hygienist does not independently perform periodontal or implant surgery or make surgical treatment decisions.
• Obtain dental radiographs only where the hygienist has the required authorization and where legally permitted.
• Follow all applicable radiation safety and protection requirements.
• Assist with intraoral and extraoral photographs as appropriate.
• Assist with collection and maintenance of diagnostic records.
• Accurately document diagnostic procedures performed.
• Communicate relevant clinical observations to the periodontist or dentist.
• Where the employee holds the required authorization, education, training, and competency:
• Perform authorized dental hygiene procedures within the employee's scope of practice.
• Administer local anesthetic only where currently authorized and permitted by applicable Ontario requirements.
• Follow applicable practice protocols for patient assessment, administration, documentation, and monitoring.
• Recognize and appropriately respond to adverse reactions within the employee's training and emergency procedures.
• Maintain required clinical documentation.
• Any future scope-of-practice changes shall not be considered part of the employee's duties until they are legally implemented and the employee has obtained any required education, competency, authorization, or registration.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and timely clinical records.
• Record periodontal charting and assessment findings.
• Document treatment provided.
• Document oral hygiene instruction and patient education.
• Document relevant patient communications and clinical concerns.
• Maintain appropriate records relating to implant maintenance.
• Document referrals or communications with the periodontist as appropriate.
• Maintain confidentiality and security of patient information.
• Follow CDHO standards and applicable privacy requirements.
• CDHO identifies protection of personal health information and appropriate information management as professional responsibilities of dental hygienists.
• Follow all applicable infection prevention and control requirements.
• Perform appropriate hand hygiene.
• Use appropriate personal protective equipment.
• Follow clinical asepsis procedures.
• Clean and disinfect treatment areas and equipment according to established protocols.
• Handle contaminated instruments and materials safely.
• Follow established instrument-processing and sterilization procedures.
• Maintain appropriate separation between contaminated, clean, and sterile areas.
• Report infection prevention and control concerns promptly.
• Participate in required infection prevention and control education and training.
• Maintain periodontal, peri-implant and dental hygiene instruments in appropriate condition.
• Inspect instruments and equipment before use.
• Report damaged, defective, or unsafe instruments and equipment.
• Use appropriate instrumentation for periodontal and implant maintenance.
• Follow manufacturer recommendations for equipment and instruments.
• Maintain an organized treatment area.
• Monitor hygiene supplies and notify management when supplies require replenishment.
• Assist with maintaining appropriate periodontal and implant-maintenance supplies.
• Maintain awareness of patient safety throughout treatment.
• Follow the practice's emergency procedures.
• Recognize and respond to medical emergencies within the hygienist's training and authorized responsibilities.
• Monitor patient comfort and condition during treatment.
• Promptly report significant changes in patient condition to the periodontist, dentist, or appropriate healthcare professional.
• Maintain familiarity with emergency equipment and procedures.
• Participate in emergency preparedness training and drills as required.
• Maintain current registration with CDHO in the appropriate class for clinical practice.
• Maintain professional liability insurance as required.
• Maintain all required certifications and competencies.
• Meet applicable CDHO Quality Assurance requirements.
• Practise within the hygienist's current scope of practice.
• Maintain competence in periodontal therapy, implant maintenance, infection prevention, instrumentation, patient education, and other services provided.
• Participate in continuing education relevant to the employee's role and the needs of the practice.
• Follow CDHO standards, guidelines, and applicable legislation.
• Maintain professional boundaries and ethical conduct.
• Place patient safety and well-being above practice or business considerations.
• Work collaboratively with the periodontist, dentists, dental assistants, administrative staff, and other members of the clinical team.
• Communicate clinical findings accurately and promptly.
• Participate in clinical discussions and staff meetings as appropriate.
• Communicate respectfully with patients, referring dentists, and other healthcare professionals.
• Support continuity of periodontal and implant care.
• Refer patients to the periodontist or dentist when findings require further assessment or treatment outside the hygienist's scope of practice.
• The Registered Dental Hygienist – Periodontal and Implant Therapy shall perform only those services and procedures that are within the employee's education, training, competence, registration, authorization, and applicable scope of practice.
• The employee shall comply with the requirements and standards of the CDHO and all applicable Ontario legislation.
• Nothing in this job description authorizes the employee to perform a controlled act or other procedure for which the employee does not have the required legal authority.
• The employee shall not independently diagnose dental or periodontal disease, establish or alter a dentist's or periodontist's diagnosis, establish or alter a dentist's or periodontist's treatment plan, make surgical treatment decisions, prescribe medications or treatment outside the employee's authorized scope, provide clinical advice outside the employee's scope of practice, or perform a procedure requiring authorization that the employee does not possess.
• The hygienist may assess, identify, document, and communicate clinical signs and findings within the scope of dental hygiene practice and shall refer matters requiring diagnosis or treatment decisions to the appropriate dentist or periodontist.
• The duties listed above describe the principal responsibilities of the position and are not intended to be exhaustive.
• The employee may be required to perform other reasonable dental hygiene, periodontal maintenance, implant-maintenance, patient education, documentation, and related duties consistent with the position, provided such duties are within the employee's education, competence, registration, authorization, and applicable scope of practice.
• The responsibilities of the position may change from time to time to reflect changes in legislation, CDHO standards, professional requirements, clinical procedures, technology, staffing, and the operational needs of the practice.
• Where a change in legislation or regulatory requirements affects the employee's permitted scope of practice, the employee's duties shall be interpreted and performed in accordance with the requirements in force at that time.