Dental Hygienist - School-Based Dental Program

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Help children build healthy smiles while providing meaningful dental care throughout the year.

The Community Health Center of the North Country is seeking a compassionate and skilled Registered Dental Hygienist to join our School-Based Dental Program. This unique role combines community outreach and preventive dental care in local schools with clinical dental hygiene services provided in our community health center.

During the academic year, this position focuses on bringing preventive dental services directly to children in local schools, including screenings, fluoride treatments, sealants, and oral health education. When school is not in session—including holidays, school breaks, and summer months—the position transitions to providing care for health center patients as part of our dental team.

This position is anticipated to be 30 hours per week , with a schedule that follows the local school calendar. Candidates interested in a full-time position may have the opportunity to supplement their school-based hours with additional clinical hours in the health center during the school year, working approximately 30 hours per week in schools and 10 hours per week in the health center , then transitioning to full-time health center hours during school breaks and summer months.

If you are passionate about preventive care, enjoy working with children, and want to make a meaningful difference in access to dental services in our community, we invite you to apply.

What You'll Do

As our School-Based Dental Hygienist, you'll play an important role in improving children's oral health by bringing preventive dental services directly into local schools. You'll work alongside a Dental Assistant to provide high-quality care while helping children and families establish a lasting relationship with a dental home.

Responsibilities include:

• Perform dental screenings, fluoride treatments, sealants, and other preventive dental hygiene services. 
• Educate students and families on oral hygiene, nutrition, and cavity prevention through one-on-one instruction and classroom presentations. 
• Build positive relationships with children while helping ease dental anxiety and encouraging healthy habits. 
• Travel to participating schools to set up and operate temporary dental treatment areas. 
• Maintain accurate electronic health records and required program documentation. 
• Follow infection control and instrument sterilization procedures in accordance with state regulations. 
• Coordinate schedules and communication with school administrators, nurses, and families. 
• Assist with enrollment, consent forms, referrals, reporting, and program administration. 
• During school breaks and summer, provide dental hygiene services for patients of all ages at the Community Health Center as part of our integrated dental team.

Requirements:

Qualifications

We're looking for someone who enjoys working with children, values community health, and is committed to providing exceptional patient care.

Qualified candidates will have:

• Associate's Degree in Dental Hygiene 
• Current New York State Dental Hygiene License 
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification 
• Excellent communication, organizational, and computer skills 
• A professional, compassionate, and patient-centered approach 
• Experience with electronic health records (eClinicalWorks experience preferred) 

Why Work Here?

At the Community Health Center of the North Country, our mission is to provide comprehensive, equitable, and accessible high-quality health care and human services to people of all income levels and those with individualized needs.

Our team lives this mission every day through our core values of Collaboration, Accessibility, Fairness, Integration, Innovation, and Integrity. We believe every child deserves access to quality preventive dental care, regardless of where they live or their family's circumstances. As part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the health of children throughout the North Country while working alongside dedicated professionals who share your commitment to community care.

Benefits

Eligible employees enjoy a competitive benefits package that may include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance 
• Generous paid time off and paid holidays 
• Retirement plan with employer contribution 
• Employer-paid life insurance 
• Employee Assistance Program 
• Continuing education and professional development opportunities 
• A supportive, mission-driven team environment 

Join Our Team

If you're looking for a position where you can combine clinical excellence with meaningful community outreach, we'd love to meet you. Join us in helping children build healthy smiles that last a lifetime.