Dental Hygienist – DECOD
Last updated: July 10, 2025
UW CODE AND REPRESENTATIVE GROUP
18466 (NE S SEIU 925 HCP/LT)
23706 (NE H NI SEIU 925 HCP/LT)
BASIC FUNCTION
Perform expanded dental hygiene duties in the Dental Education in the Care of Persons with Disabilities (DECOD) Program Dental Clinic and DECOD Program Sites.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Single class — no series. Under general supervision, perform expanded dental hygiene technical and restorative dental procedures and periodontal therapy to patients in the DECOD Program Dental Clinic and DECOD Program Sites. In approximately 90% of cases, patients will be considered to have conditions that fall within the field of special care dentistry. These conditions include physical, medical, developmental, or cognitive limitations that restrict their ability to receive routine dental care.
TYPICAL WORK
Perform treatment within the scope of dental hygiene for patients with disabilities, geriatric patients, and patients with other special health care needs, including persons with physical, medical, developmental, or cognitive conditions which limit their ability to receive routine dental care, maintain patient records and recall systems;
Perform primary dental hygiene duties including review patient health history; conduct preliminary oral examination including periodontal charting; take extra-oral and intra-oral photographs; expose and process extra-oral and intra-oral x-rays; take vital signs; perform oral prophylaxis including sub-gingival and supra-gingival scaling, root planning and soft tissue curettage; apply fluoride treatments and sealants; educate patients in oral hygiene procedures including dietary analysis;
Perform expanded dental hygienist duties including: administer local anesthesia (both infiltration and block anesthesia) and nitrous-oxide analgesia; apply and remove rubber dams; polish amalgam restorations, crowns and supra-gingival areas; place cement base, place amalgam matrix bands and wedges; condense and carve amalgam restorations; adjust occlusion; adapt celluloid matrices for placement of composite- resins; insert and finish composite resin restoration; take impressions for diagnostic models; retract gingival tissue prior to impression; fabricate temporary restorations; adapt stainless steel crowns and perform other duties as provided by the State of Washington’s dental laws; scheduling patient appointments, establishing recall systems, and maintaining patient records;
Assist in the treatment of medically and physically compromised patients; under a dentist’s supervision implement appropriate treatment plans such as the provision of periodontal therapy in accordance with the patient’s needs;
Modify standard dental procedures and protocols to accommodate patients with special needs; assist with behavioral, physical and/or pharmacological supports; assist patients with wheelchair or gurney transfer;
Facilitate care via behavioral, pharmacological, and/or physical supports. Tailors support appropriate to each patient’s unique needs, via the least restrictive alternatives possible;
Monitor patient flow; verify presence of appropriately completed consent forms, medical records, x-rays, and laboratory cases prior to scheduled appointments; Review health history with patients, caregivers and guardians;
Maintain safety of all members of the dental team, including patients and their representatives, staff, students, and other learners; monitor patient behavior for signs of distress and adhere to principles of de-escalation;
Educate students and other learners within the scope of dental hygiene for patients with special needs; educate students and other learners on the use of facilitation techniques and appropriate ergonomics for patients with special needs; motivate learners to improve access to care for this population;
Maintain clinic equipment and supplies; clean and sterilize equipment;
May assist in patient management, data collection and analysis for research projects;
May conduct dental education courses;
Perform other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Graduation from an accredited school of dental hygiene, AND a current license to practice as a dental hygienist in the State of Washington.
Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.
CLASSIFICATION HISTORY
- 07/19/1974: New Class
- 10/06/1988: Revise Class/Title
- 07/02/1990: Revise MQ
- 06/01/2005: CSR Class Conversion
- 07/01/2025: New Class. Work previously performed by SEIU 925 Dental Hygienist (job code 18465).