Dental Hygienist

Full-Time | $45 - 55 per hour DOE | Chicago, IL

Location: 6374 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60659

Department: Dental

Reports To: Dental Practice Manager

Employment Type: Part-Time

Midwest Refuah Health Center (MRHC) is a mission-driven community health center serving a diverse population in Chicago. Our patients include children, adolescents, adults, and older adults from a wide range of cultural, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Our mission is to provide high-quality, accessible healthcare to our community, regardless of a patient's ability to pay.

We are committed to providing compassionate, respectful care while maintaining each patient's privacy, dignity, comfort, and individual needs throughout the care experience.

MRHC is seeking a skilled, compassionate Dental Hygienist to join our growing dental department. The Dental Hygienist will provide comprehensive preventive dental care and patient education to a diverse adult and pediatric patient population, working closely with dentists and the dental team to support high-quality, efficient, patient-centered care.

The ideal candidate is clinically strong, dependable, professional, and comfortable working with patients of different ages, backgrounds, and needs. Because our patient population is diverse, the ability to provide care with sensitivity to privacy, dignity, modesty, cultural considerations, religious considerations, and individual patient preferences is essential.

Essential Responsibilities

Clinical Care

• Provide comprehensive preventive dental hygiene services to adult and pediatric patients.
• Perform patient assessments, medical and dental history review, and periodontal evaluations.
• Obtain and document dental X-rays as permitted by scope of practice and office protocols.
• Perform dental cleanings, scaling, polishing, fluoride treatments, sealants, and other preventive services within scope of practice.
• Monitor and document patient oral health status and treatment needs.
• Identify and communicate oral health concerns to the treating dentist.
• Assist dentists with examinations, procedures, and treatment as needed.
• Provide age-appropriate oral hygiene instruction and patient education.
• Reinforce treatment recommendations and preventive care plans.
• Modify communication and approach appropriately for children, adolescents, adults, and patients with varying levels of health literacy or comfort with dental treatment.

Patient Experience & Privacy

• Create a welcoming, professional, and respectful experience for every patient.
• Maintain a high level of sensitivity to patient privacy, dignity, modesty, comfort, and personal boundaries during examinations and treatment.
• Communicate respectfully with patients and families from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds.
• Recognize and appropriately respond to individual patient concerns and preferences regarding privacy and personal care.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA and all applicable privacy requirements.
• Communicate effectively with parents/guardians when treating pediatric patients while maintaining appropriate patient confidentiality and professional boundaries.

Clinical Operations

• Prepare and maintain treatment rooms and dental equipment.
• Follow all sterilization, infection-control, OSHA, and safety procedures.
• Maintain appropriate supplies and notify management when supplies need to be reordered.
• Complete accurate and timely clinical documentation in the electronic health record.
• Maintain accurate periodontal charts, treatment notes, and other required documentation.
• Support efficient patient flow and room turnover.
• Coordinate appropriately with dentists, dental assistants, front-desk staff, and other clinical team members.
• Participate in team huddles, staff meetings, and quality-improvement activities.
• Perform other duties within scope of practice as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Degree or certificate in Dental Hygiene from an accredited program.
• Current, unrestricted Illinois Dental Hygienist license.
• Current CPR/BLS certification.
• Strong clinical dental hygiene skills.
• Excellent patient communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively with both adult and pediatric patients.
• Demonstrated professionalism and commitment to patient privacy, dignity, and comfort.
• Ability to work respectfully and effectively with patients and families from diverse cultural, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Strong attention to detail and documentation skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team.
• Ability to work effectively in a busy, patient-centered clinical environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a general dentistry or community health setting.
• Experience treating pediatric patients.
• Experience working in a high-volume dental practice.
• Experience with electronic health records/dental practice management systems.
• Experience working with medically or socially diverse patient populations.
• Experience in an FQHC or other safety-net healthcare setting.

Midwest Refuah Health Center is an equal opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.