DENTAL HYGIENIST

Cook County Government; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 51,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

Pension Plan

Paid Holidays

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Cook County Health in Chicago seeks a Dental Hygienist to perform preventive care, record-keeping and patient education within the Oral Health department at ACHN - Central Campus.

The role requires graduation from an accredited dental hygiene program, an Illinois license, CPR certification, and strong knowledge of infection control and electronic health records in a clinical setting.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited dental hygiene program (must provide transcripts).
• Illinois license to practice dental hygiene (must provide proof).
• Unrestricted license and current CPR certification (proof required).
• Comprehensive knowledge of outpatient oral hygiene care.

Responsibilities

• Provide preventive dental hygiene care including prophylaxis, scaling, sealants and fluoride.
• Record dental hygiene services accurately in the patient record within 24 hours.
• Educate patients on oral health and provide counseling.
• Maintain infection control and safety standards across clinic operations.

Skills

Oral hygiene knowledge

Patient counseling

Infection control

EHR proficiency

Education

Graduate from accredited dental hygiene program

Illinois dental hygienist license

CPR certification

Job description

DENTAL HYGIENIST

Job Description

Job Number: 00139681

Job Posting: Oct 13, 2026, 5:35:31 PM

Closing Date: Oct 28, 2026, 4:59:00 AM
Full-time Shift Start Time: 7:00 A.M.
Shift End Time: 3:00 P.M.

Collective Bargaining Unit: SEIU Local 73
Posting Salary: $36.843 - $44.377|HOURLY

Organization: Health and Hospital Systems

LOCATION: ACHN - CENTRAL CAMPUS

DEPARTMENT: ORAL HEALTH

Salary is commensurate with years of experience indicated at time of application submittal. Experience not disclosed or documented at the time of application will not be considered for initial step placement.

Typical Duties

• Obtains baseline oral hygiene assessment data based upon accepted principles of oral hygiene and periodontal care.
• Records patient-hygienist transactions as they occur in the patient's dental record so that the dental record accurately and completely reflects the nature of the contact, the condition of the patient and the care or treatment provided within a 24-hour period.
• Responsible for the delivery of preventive care, treatment, and referrals.
• Provides oral health education and appropriate individual counseling for all center dental patients.
• Provides clinical oral hygiene services including dental prophylaxis, scaling, sealant application and fluoride application consistent with accepted professional practices and standards and in compliance with applicable state law and the center's clinical protocols.
• Maintain high standard of dental hygiene practice and participate in the training and development of the dental team.
• Integration of appropriate patient dental hygiene care with other health care professionals involved in the patient's health care management.
• Assists in the development, implementation and monitoring of dental clinic policies, protocol and procedures as needed to achieve goals and objectives.
• Assists in the maintenance of all Dental Department areas in compliance with Dental Department directive and policies as well as center policies and procedures relative to infection control, exposure control and safety issues.
• Ensures the proper disposal of all contaminated or potentially contaminated materials in accordance with Dental Department directive and center policy as well as state federal regulations (s).
• Organizes and performs preventive oral health presentations at on-site and off-site locations.
• Assist with the development, implementation and monitoring of the dental quality assurance program.
• Assists in the provision of technical assistance and health education in the community as requested.
• Performs independent procedures as delegated and directed by a dentist in accordance with state regulations and law as well as Dental Department protocol and directive.
• As a member of the health care team, exemplify an example in attitude toward patients and staff, thereby, performing duties with respect, dignity, privacy, and modesty to the patients.
• Fulfills state-required Continuing Educational Credits within designated time frame. Attend professional conventions and seminars, participate in professional societies, and do all things reasonable, necessary and desirable to maintain and improve his/her professional skills.
• Responsible for personal compliance with all applicable federal, state, local and center rules, regulations, protocols and procedures governing the practice of dental hygiene and the clinical provision of dental hygiene services as well as those relating to, but not limited to, personnel issues, workplace safety, public health and confidentiality.
• Counsels patients regarding dental, medical and other problems which might affect patient's health and well-being.
• Performs such clinical procedures for patient's benefit which are within scope and skill of practitioner and which are economically feasible.
• Performs other job-related duties, as may be assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be a Graduate of an accredited School of Dental Hygiene, required (MUST PROVIDE OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS AT TIME OF INTERVIEW).
• Must be licensed to practice Dental Hygiene in the State of Illinois, required (MUST PROVIDE PROOF AT TIME OF INTERVIEW).
• Must possess an unrestricted license and current CPR certification, required (MUST PROVIDE PROOF AT TIME OF INTERVIEW).
• Must have comprehensive knowledge of oral hygiene care in an outpatient setting, required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous direct patient care experience within a healthcare center, dental clinic, or hospital setting, preferred.
• Bilingual, preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics

• Advanced knowledge of the methods and principles of dental hygiene and skill in their application to effect optimal oral health and ensure the delivery of appropriate dental care to patients.
• Advanced knowledge of oral hygiene to effect optimal oral health and ensure the delivery of appropriate dental care to patients.
• Advanced knowledge of electronic health records.
• Skill to motivate and tactfully obtain patient cooperation to facilitate the delivery of dental care to patients.
• Skill to maintain effective working relationships with healthcare professionals and others to be successful in achieving a common goal.
• Ability to handle dental instruments and materials with dexterity to prevent injuries to staff and patients.

Physical and Environmental Demands

This position is functioning within a healthcare environment. The incumbent is responsible for adherence to all hospital and department specific safety requirements. This includes but is not limited to the following policies and procedures: complying with Personal Protective Equipment requirements, hand washing and sanitizing practices, complying with department specific engineering and work practice controls and any other work area safety precautions as specified by hospital wide policy and departmental procedures.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of the personnel so classified.

For purposes of the American with Disabilities Act, “Typical Duties” are essential job functions.

Veteran Preference

PLEASE READ

When applying for employment with Cook County Health, preference is given to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for not less than 6 months of continuous service.

To take advantage of this preference a Veteran must:

• Meet the minimum qualifications for the position.
• Identify self as a Veteran on the employment application by answering yes to the question “Are you a Military Veteran?”
• Attach a copy of their DD 214, DD 215 or NGB 22 (Notice of Separation at time of application filing. Please note: If you have multiple DD214s, 215s, or NGB 22S, Please submit the one with the latest date. Coast Guard must submit a certified copy of the military separation from either the Department of Transportation (Before 9/11) or the Department of Homeland Security (After 9/11). Discharge papers must list an Honorable Discharge Status. Discharge papers not listing an Honorable Discharge Status are not acceptable).

OR

A copy of a valid State ID Card or Driver’s License which identifies the holder of the ID as a Veteran, may also be attached to the application at time of filing.

If items are not attached, you will not be eligible for Veteran Preference.

VETERANS MUST PROVIDE ORIGINAL APPLICABLE DISCHARGE PAPERS OR APPLICABLE STATE ID CARD OR DRIVER’S LICENSE AT TIME OF INTERVIEW.

Benefits Package

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Basic Term Life Insurance
• Pension Plan and Deferred Compensation Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time
• You may also qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
• 100% Tuition Reimbursement for nursing-related programs

MUST MEET ALL REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AT TIME OF APPLICATION FILING.

*Degrees awarded outside the United States with the exception of those awarded in one of the United States' territories and Canada must be credentialed by an approved U.S. credential evaluation service belonging to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE). Original credentialing documents must be presented at time of interview.

*Please note all offers of Employment are contingent upon the following conditions: satisfactory professional & employment references, healthcare and criminal background checks, appropriate licensure/certifications and the successful completion of a physical and pre-employment drug screen.

*CCH is strictly prohibited from conditioning, basing or knowingly prejudicing or affecting any term or aspect of County employment or hiring upon or because of any political reason or factor.

COOK COUNTY HEALTH IS AN EQUALOPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER