Registered Dental Hygienist (Part-Time)

Part‑Time Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH)

Reports to

Status

Part‑Time, Non‑Exempt (Contract/Hourly: $33.46 – 46.63/hr)

Job Purpose

As a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) with Heartland Community Health Center, you will provide vital preventive dental care—including cleanings, sealants, X‑rays, and assessments.

You’ll help remove barriers to care, foster trust, and create lifelong dental patients by delivering high‑quality oral health services in an accessible, culturally competent way. Every day is an opportunity to improve patient’s lives and long‑term health outcomes while building deep connections within the community.

Heartland offers a mission‑driven, integrated care environment that values prevention, collaboration, and team‑based care.

Benefits

• $5,000 SIGN‑ON BONUS
• Monthly productivity incentive bonuses
• Flexible schedules (including 4‑day workweeks and school hours if preferred)
• PSLF‑eligible employment: potential eligibility for up to $50,000 in NHSC student loan repayment over two years, plus eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) through employment with a nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center.
• Medical, dental, vision, 401(k), PTO, holidays, and wellness support

Join us and help redefine access to care—where prevention starts with you.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Preventative and rehabilitative caries control and periodontal services:
  • Routine prophylaxis and topical application
  • Apply SDF as needed
  • Use ART technique to place interim restorations as needed
  • Scale and root planning
  • Remove overhangs of filling materials
  • Properly expose, process and mount oral radiographs
  • Polish restorations
  • May use local anesthetic for procedures as needed
• Promote an atmosphere of good dental and general health by demonstrating good personal oral hygiene
• Educate patients on techniques of flossing, brushing, overall oral health, and the role of the dental care team
• Clean and sterilize instruments appropriately
• Follow infection control protocols and standard operating procedures
• Complete required daily, monthly, and annual equipment maintenance
• Wears appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Lab duties include pour and trim models and fabricating trays
• Remove the biohazard trash as needed
• Answer patient inquiries related to pain and/or medications
• Perform all duties in accordance with OSHA regulations
• Is attentive to patient needs
• Attend meetings as required (Joint Staff, Department, etc.)
• Completes assigned trainings in timely manner
• Perform other duties as assigned
• Use safety precautions to protect patient and self‑charting:
  • Existing caries and restorations, missing teeth and prostheses
  • Periodontal assessment including but not limited to probing depths, recession, mobility, and furcation involvement
  • Complete head and neck exam, including soft tissue pathology
  • Properly makes oral radiographs
  • Takes necessary safety precautions to protect patient from unnecessary radiation
• Education:
  • Educate patients on oral health maintenance and prevention (brushing, flossing, plaque control, diet, etc.)
  • Educate patients or guardians on the benefit of fluoride
  • Receive professional training from internal and external sources to establish and utilize skills to become a leader in the clinic and in the community in the integration of dental services in the primary care setting
  • Attend meetings as required (Joint Staff, Department, etc.)
  • Rotate to Medical Clinic for Medical/Dental integration
  • Empower medical teams to deliver dental screenings to medical patients. Establish team relationships and coordinate bi‑directional “warm handoffs” to and from specialty dental according to established protocols
  • Goal to treat no less than 1 patient per patient‑facing hour in clinic and no less than 2 patients per patient‑facing hour in community‑based care setting
  • Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Graduate of a certified Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) program
• Minimum of one year of experience preferred
• Current CPR certification required and must be maintained
• Demonstrated sensitivity to the social and cultural needs of diverse populations
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks to deliver efficient, high‑quality patient care
• Remains calm and exercises sound judgment in emergency or high‑pressure situations
• Strong knowledge of HIPAA privacy regulations and ability to follow written policies and procedures
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, databases, and standard office equipment (copiers, fax, multi‑line phones, printers, scanners)
• Skilled in writing clear, accurate reports and correspondence using proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, and dental terminology
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Strong organizational, time management, and problem‑solving abilities
• Works independently, exercises good judgment, and adapts well to fast‑paced, changing environments
• Demonstrates professionalism through punctuality, clean and appropriate attire, and good personal hygiene
• Builds and maintains respectful, effective relationships with patients, coworkers, and the public
• Provides outstanding customer service, even in challenging interactions
• Willingness to educate patients and the community about oral health and the role of the dental care team
• Accurately documents procedures and data in electronic health records
• Comfortable analyzing statistics or data and making appropriate recommendations
• Must be able to operate a company vehicle and maintain it in good condition
• Ability to anticipate and react calmly in emergency situations
• Knowledge of HIPAA privacy rules and regulations

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

• Frequent walking, standing, and sitting throughout the day
• Repetitive physical and mental tasks required
• Regular use of hands to handle, control, or operate tools and equipment
• Frequent bending, twisting, lifting, and carrying of equipment—up to 100 lbs
• Responsible for loading and unloading equipment as needed
• Job tasks are performed in close physical proximity to others
• Work is conducted both indoors in climate‑controlled settings and occasionally outdoors
• Must be able to manage frequent interruptions and function effectively in high‑stress or emergency situations
• Exposure to infection, contagious diseases, and unpleasant or potentially hazardous patient or unit conditions
• May involve interactions with individuals who are angry, upset, or in distress; must be able to navigate conflict professionally and with composure

Details

• Hours: Mondays and Fridays, ranging from 8am – 6pm. Shifts are generally 8hrs in length in clinic
  • Occasional after‑hours work may be required
  • Hours are approximate and may be altered by supervisor(s) as needed