Denturist

Denturist Position The Denturist provides comprehensive removable prosthetic services to Family Health Centers (FHC) patients within the scope of a Washington-licensed denturist and FHC-granted clinical privileges. The Denturist evaluates patients for denture needs, develops and carries out appropriate treatment plans, obtains impressions and clinical records, fits and delivers removable prostheses, provides adjustments and follow-up care, and works collaboratively with the dental team to support safe, timely, patient-centered care. Main duties and responsibilities include: Evaluates patients for complete and partial removable denture needs within Washington denturist scope of practice and FHC-granted privileges. Reviews relevant medical and dental history and identifies factors that may affect denture treatment or require consultation with a dentist or other health care provider. Examines oral structures as permitted within scope of practice and recognizes conditions requiring referral or additional clinical evaluation. Develops denture-related treatment plans and discusses treatment options, anticipated outcomes, limitations, costs as applicable, and expected course of care with patients. Obtains preliminary and final impressions, measurements, jaw relation records, bite registrations, and other clinical records necessary for removable prosthetic treatment. Selects appropriate tooth characteristics and other prosthetic specifications in collaboration with the patient and dental care team as appropriate. Conducts try-in appointments and evaluates fit, function, esthetics, occlusion, phonetics, and patient acceptance before final completion. Fits, furnishes, and delivers complete and partial removable dentures within applicable Washington scope of practice. Performs denture adjustments, relines, rebases, repairs, alterations, and other post-delivery services within scope of practice and FHC privileges. Provides patients with education regarding denture use, insertion and removal, hygiene, care, maintenance, adaptation, and follow-up needs. Assesses patient concerns following delivery and provides timely follow-up care to address fit, comfort, function, or other prosthetic concerns. Coordinates with dentists and other members of the FHC dental team when patient needs extend beyond denturist scope of practice or require interdisciplinary care. Prepares clear and complete fabrication prescriptions, work orders, specifications, and case information for approved denture fabrication vendors. Coordinates case status, specifications, delivery, remakes, and quality concerns with approved fabrication vendors as needed for patient care. Inspects completed prostheses and evaluates them clinically before and during delivery to ensure they meet patient needs and treatment specifications. Documents assessments, treatment plans, informed consent, procedures, delivery, adjustments, referrals, patient education, and follow-up accurately and timely in the FHC electronic health record. Follows FHC infection prevention and control requirements, including appropriate handling and disinfection of impressions, prostheses, equipment, instruments, and materials. Maintains patient privacy and confidentiality and complies with FHC requirements related to HIPAA, information security, and clinical records. Participates in FHC quality assurance, performance improvement, peer review, competency assessment, and patient-safety activities as required. Reports patient-safety events, quality concerns, product or fabrication concerns, and other clinical issues through appropriate FHC processes. Maintains all required professional licensure, continuing education, certifications, competencies, credentialing, and privileging requirements. Works collaboratively with dental leadership, dentists, hygienists, dental assistants, scheduling staff, and other FHC team members to support access, continuity, efficiency, and quality of dental care. Knowledge, skills, and abilities include: Knowledge of WA denturist scope of practice, professional standards, and applicable dental regulations Knowledge of removable prosthodontic principles, denture materials, impressions, and occlusion Knowledge of fitting, adjustment, repair, relining, and rebasing Knowledge of IC, cross-contamination prevention, and safe handling of dental impressions and prostheses Ability to assess patient needs and recognize findings requiring referral to a dentist or other health care provider Ability to articulate treatment information clearly to patients with varied health literacy and communication needs Ability to collaborate effectively with dentists, dental staff, clinical leadership, and outside fabrication vendors Ability to maintain accurate, complete, and timely electronic clinical documentation Strong attention to detail, manual dexterity, organizational skills, and clinical judgment Strong commitment to quality, process improvement, and patient safety

This job description is a summary only and not meant to be a comprehensive list of all the duties and new duties and responsibilities can be assigned at any time without notice. Performance will be evaluated in relation to this job description to include any potential changes or addition to duties as assigned.