School of Dental Medicine - Dental Hygienist (CS26-217)

School Of Dental Medicine – Dental Hygienist

Step into a role where your clinical expertise supports the education of future dental professionals and directly improves patient health. As a Dental Hygienist, you'll work closely with faculty, residents, and students to deliver exceptional patient care while contributing to a collaborative, learning-focused environment.

What You'll Do

• Clinical Care & Assessment
• Examine teeth and surrounding tissues for lesions, disease, and other abnormalities.
• Record oral conditions and obtain basic medical and dental histories using the CIS system.
• Ensure all patient information is complete, accurate, approved, and signed by faculty.
• Preventive & Therapeutic Procedures
• Remove hard and soft deposits and stains using hand and mechanized instruments.
• Apply fluoride treatments, desensitizing agents, and prescribed medicaments to teeth and gums.
• Provide patient education, instruction, and motivation in personal oral hygiene and preventive care.
• Restorative & Advanced Support
• Place and remove temporary restorations as directed.
• Apply and remove restorative matrix materials.
• Finish and polish amalgam restorations under supervision.
• Operatory & Instrument Management
• Maintain the cleanliness and readiness of operatories before and after each appointment.
• Care for, sharpen, and maintain hygiene instruments such as scalers and curettes.
• Maintain handpieces and other equipment, reporting malfunctions promptly.
• Patient Experience & Clinic Flow
• Escort and seat patients, place protective garments, and prepare them for procedures.
• Support smooth clinic operations by coordinating with faculty, residents, and dental assistants.
• Serve as a lead resource for dental assistants when needed.
• Why You'll Love This Role
• You'll be part of a mission-driven academic clinic that values learning, teamwork, and patient-centered care.
• Your days will be filled with meaningful clinical work and opportunities to expand your skills.
• You'll make a lasting impact on both patient wellness and the development of future dental professionals.

Minimum Acceptable Qualifications

1. Current/valid licensure as a Dental Hygienist in the State of Illinois.
2. Current/valid CPR Certification.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of dental hygiene, infection control procedures, blood borne pathogens, dental assisting, dental terminology, instruments, and treatment procedures.
• Ability to organize and perform tasks independently.
• Ability to follow proper purchasing and inventory control procedures of the University and the School of Dental Medicine.
• This position requires the knowledge and ability to train dental students, residents, and assistants in proper dental assisting and infection control methods.
• Requires knowledge of inventory control and sterilization methods.
• Familiarity with the legal and ethical obligations related to patient care.
• Must be skilled in verbal, written, and interpersonal communications which are critical in addressing patient, faculty, and student concerns in an effective and diplomatic manner.
• Requires a person with self-motivation who can work effectively without direct supervision.
• Must have excellent computer skills and the ability to become an expert clinical information system user.

Civil Service Information: Civil Service Application - FAQs Application Instructions: How to Apply - Step by Step (Download PDF reader)

Illinois Residency Requirement: Pursuant to the State Universities Civil Service System, candidates must be a current Illinois resident.

Classification: State Universities Civil Service System Classification Number: 2150 – SUCSS Classification Title. For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the State Universities Civil Service System website.

Veterans: Veterans who qualify for preference must provide proof of eligibility within ten (10) working days of submitting an application.

Pre-Employment Screening: All external candidates who receive a job offer will be required to undergo pre-employment screening for this position.

Work Authorization Information: SIUE will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States and visa sponsorship for this position will not be provided.

Accommodation: If you are unable to utilize our online application system and need to request an accommodation, please reach out to us at View phone number on click.appcast.io or via email at: View email address on click.appcast.io

EEO Statement

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is an equal opportunity employer and thus prohibits discrimination against employees, applicants for employment and students on the basis of age, color, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran's status.

We value your interest and look forward to reviewing your application. For questions or more information, please email View email address on click.appcast.io.