Dental Hygienist
Dental Hygienist – Join Our Mission to Deliver Care with Compassion!
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Employment Type: Full-Time
Schedule: Monday - Wednesday (8am - 4:30pm), Thursday (8am - 6:30pm), Friday (8am - 2pm)
Compensation: Competitive salary + comprehensive benefits
Reports To: Chief Dental Director
At The Healthcare Connection, we are more than a healthcare facility—we’re a community lifeline. As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), our mission is to provide accessible, high-quality care to all, regardless of ability to pay. Our dental team is on the front lines of delivering essential oral health services to underserved communities, and we are looking for a passionate Dental Hygienist to help us make a difference—one smile at a time.
What You'll Do:
As our Dental Hygienist, you'll play a vital role in improving oral health outcomes for patients of all ages. You will:
- Provides high-quality dental hygiene within the scope of service consistent with accepted standards of care.
- Evaluates patients and implements treatment regimens under the supervision of the Dentist.
- Provides complete documentation of all findings, treatments and outcomes.
- Initiates oral health education and prevention activities.
- Reviews and interprets patient dental records.
- Works cooperatively with other Dental Program staff.
- Helps out where needed to ensure smooth, efficient running of Dental Program.
- Participates in the ongoing evaluation of Dental Program operations to assure the delivery of high-quality services that support the financial sustainability of the program.
Performance expectations:
- Assesses dental conditions and risk, uses patient screening procedures, including medical history review, dental charting and perio-charting; takes patient vital signs as required
- Delivers direct patient care to patients as assigned, using established dental hygienist procedures, such as cleaning, polishing, x-rays, application of sealants, fluorides and varnishes and related procedures
- Develops and implements individualized dental care plans for patients; performs patient education and risk protocols, discharge planning, and patient/family teaching under the supervision of a dentist
- Provides chair-side assistance to the dentist in the performance of special tests, procedures and complex treatments
- Makes impressions of patients’ teeth for study casts
- Documents dental history of chief complaint; records and reports pertinent observations and patient reactions to dental staff, as appropriate; documents lab procedures and ensure follow-up on result
- Assists with or institutes emergency measures for sudden adverse development during treatment of patients
- Initiates patient care as appropriate for walk-in patients
- Participates in Quality Improvement activities as requested by the Dentist/Clinical Dental
- Assists in the preparation of patient care areas, and in the patient admission, transfer and discharge process, as required; prepares reports and assists as required with patient reception, telephone calls, routine triage and other office duties
- Scans reception room for patients
- Assumes responsibility for the upkeep of the dental operatory and equipment
- Performs routine cleaning and maintenance of dental equipment in assigned operatories and for the assigned equipment. Regularly and thoroughly performs maintenance of assigned equipment
- Uses downtime to clean and restock operatories
- Performs miscellaneous duties within the Dental Program as assigned
EDUCATION:
- High School Diploma or GED
- Registered Dental Hygienist in State of Ohio
- CPR certification
- Pursues appropriate CEUs as required to maintain licensure and stay abreast of advances in the field of dentistry, especially in areas related to the scope of dental hygiene practice.
EXPERIENCE:
- Ability to analyze medical records and prescribed protocol to formulate effective therapeutic treatment plans
- Knowledge of Federal, State and institutional regulations and guidelines for the provision of dental outpatient services
- Ability to independently assess the nature and extent of dental disease and associated conditions and pathology in dental patients
- Ability to perform a full range of established dental hygienist protocols and procedures
- Knowledge of patient screening, charting and medical history procedures and documentation
- Knowledge and understanding of dental surgery and associated procedures, terminology and techniques
- Ability to set up and prepare dental equipment and instrumentation in accordance with established regulations and guidelines
- Ability to independently perform emergency dental procedures
- Ability to communicate technical information to non-technical co-workers
- Knowledge of patient admission, triage, transfer and discharge procedures and documentation
- Ability to manage the dental office infection control plan to meet OSHA, CDC and ADA standards
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Is a team player
- Accepts and offers guidance and supervision as appropriate
- Attends and participates in staff meeting to review team progress in meeting financial and productivity goals for the dental program
- Places a high value on personal and departmental performance excellence
- Adheres to office dress code and standards of behavior
- Maintains patient confidentiality
- Uses sick time appropriately
- Responds professionally to high-pressure situations and time limits
- Works independently with a minimum amount of supervision
The HealthCare Connection
Erica Burks, ericab@healthcare-connection.org