Dental Hygienist

Certified Dental Hygienist

At the Wyoming Life Resource Center (WLRC), we believe everyone deserves to live their best life. We are a diverse, dedicated team committed to providing compassionate, comprehensive care to our residents. We are currently looking for a kind, energetic, and skilled Certified Dental Hygienist to join our community. In this role, you aren't just an employee--you are a vital advocate for the health, dignity, and happiness of the people we serve.

Why You Thrive Here

• Supportive Benefits: Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Balance: Paid vacation, sick leave, FMLA, and holidays
• Future Planning: Pension and 457B plans to help you build a secure future
• Meaningful Connection: The opportunity to make a tangible, positive difference in the lives of Wyoming residents

Want to see the full value of your compensation beyond salary? Explore our Total Compensation Calculator: compensationcalculator.wyo.gov

Essential Functions: The listed functions are illustrative only and are not intended to describe every function that may be performed in the job level.

• Deliver comprehensive dental care for residents, including periodontal therapy, prophylactic dental services, such as sealant application, dental imaging, and fluoride treatments, including to those residents administered general anesthetic.
• Provide skilled support to the dentist during dental procedures and implement behavioral modification techniques to facilitate care for residents with diverse special needs, ensuring safe and efficient outcomes.
• Establish and manage the schedule for routine oral health check-ups and treatments based on residents' individual needs.
• Maintain comprehensive and accurate records of all dental services, including assessments, treatments, and follow-up care, adhering to facility and regulatory standards. Integrate dental documentation seamlessly into residents' overall health records (quarterly/annual reports).
• Actively participate in interdisciplinary team meetings to advocate for residents' oral health needs, collaborating with nursing staff, physicians, and other healthcare providers/team members to ensure dental considerations are fully integrated into comprehensive care plans.
• Monitor and procure dental supplies from approved vendors to ensure the timely availability of necessary materials. Maintain an accurate inventory to support uninterrupted dental operations at WLRC. Collaborate with the Central Supply department as needed to manage dental materials and streamline procurement processes.
• Design and conduct comprehensive oral health educational programs for residents and staff. Develop and deliver specialized in-service training on adaptive oral hygiene techniques and preventative care. Act as a subject matter expert, providing on-site coaching to staff, and maintain current, audit-ready oral hygiene manuals and training materials to support facility-wide oral health standards and regulatory compliance.
• Regular maintenance/testing/monitoring of the handpiece cleaner, the ultrasonic cleaner, sterilizer (autoclave), dental unit water lines, and other dental equipment as required. Ensure all dental instruments and equipment are properly sterilized in accordance with infection control protocols and regulatory standards with the CDC.
• Communicate effectively and proactively with residents' guardians, family members, and staff regarding oral health concerns, treatment plans, and potential outcomes. Act as a primary liaison to facilitate understanding and decision-making, ensuring all communications are documented in alignment with facility confidentiality policies and standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Preferences/Agency Requirements:

Current Wyoming Dental Hygiene Licensure is required.

Knowledge:

• Dental hygiene services encompass the prevention of dental disease, as well as the treatment of diagnosed periodontal and gingival conditions. Preventive services include the placement of sealants, fluoride treatments, and dental prophylaxis, alongside educational initiatives aimed at preventing oral disease.
• Comprehensive understanding of dental office operations and the ability to implement these processes effectively.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential, as is proficiency in utilizing computer systems for treatment documentation, research, ordering materials, and facilitating communication with colleagues.
• Ability to work well with residents who have severe disabilities and may have challenging behaviors.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: As required by the licensing board

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Must meet the Board requirements as stated in Board of Dental Examiners Rules and Regulations Chapter 33 Section 15-120 for the Dental Hygienist License

Necessary Special Requirements

• Safely move (twisting, bending, lifting, kneeling, pushing, pulling), position, and lift people with multiple and severe disabilities.
• Ability to monitor sounds, noises, location of residents, etc. to assure safety and assess imminent danger and emerging concerns.
• Ability to work alone and/or with multiple residents.
• Ability to work in a high-stress situation when necessary.

Notes:

• FLSA: Exempt
• The Wyoming Life Resource Center participates in E-Verify. We will provide the Social Security Administration, and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. Please note that we do not use this information to pre-screen job applicants.
• A background check, including the taking of fingerprints, will be completed through the Wyoming Department of Criminal Investigation, Department of Family Services, and the F.B.I. for every successful applicant.
• Pre-employment drug and alcohol testing will be conducted on safety-sensitive positions. Drug testing will be conducted on any position if reasonable suspicion exists.
• The Wyoming Department of Health offers an excellent benefits package, including medical/dental/vision/life insurance, paid vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, a state retirement plan, a deferred compensation program, and longevity pay.