Dental Hygienist

Swmtchc; Montana; On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in Montana is seeking a Dental Hygienist to provide essential care and education to patients. This role requires a valid dental hygiene license, strong communication skills, and a passion for delivering quality care to diverse populations. The successful candidate will be part of a dedicated team, offering both full-time and part-time opportunities with competitive benefits.

Benefits

Eligible for full benefits

NHSC loan repayment available

Qualifications

• Graduate from an accredited college or university with a degree in Dental Hygiene.
• Possess a current MT Dental Hygiene License and a MT Anesthesia License.
• Experience serving diverse patient populations preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient care including prophylaxis, fluoride treatments, and patient education.
• Assess patient's medical history and provide education on controlling oral health diseases.
• Coordinate appointments and work with the front office staff.

Skills

Communication

Patient Care

Attention to Detail

Time Management

Organization

Education

Degree in Dental Hygiene

Job description

Dental Hygienist

FLSA Non-exempt

Full-time or Part-time
4 day or 5 day schedule (32 or 40 hours)
Eligible for full benefits, competitive wage based on experience
NHSC loan repayment available for qualified individuals

Must pass a criminal background check

Candidate review begins 3/21/2025 - position open until filled

Position Summary:

Under the general direction and supervision of the Dental Director/Dentist, this position treats and educates patients in the control and prevention of oral disease through proper oral hygiene and regular professional care within appropriate scope of practice across the lifespan.

Position Requirements:

Education: Graduate from an accredited college or university with a degree in Dental Hygiene.

License: Possess a current MT Dental Hygiene License and a MT Anesthesia License, Current certification in BLS.

Experience: Two years prior experience preferred but willing to hire new graduates; experience serving a diverse patient population is preferable, prior EHR experience preferred.

Job Requirements:

• Exceptional attendance record.
• The ability to carry out functions of a Dental Hygienist, as described by the MT Department of Occupational Licensing and this document.
• The ability to operate a computer system and apply basic computer skills.
• The ability to become proficient in the use of computerized imaging and electronic dental record program.
• The ability to communicate effectively with patients and staff.
• Possess and apply the skills necessary to effectively treat patients of all age groups, regardless of special needs of patient.
• Perform duties in a manner that is professional and compassionate.
• Apply knowledge in a manner that allows the needs of each provider and therefore each patient to be met.

Essential Functions, Roles, and Responsibilities:

• Requires regular, in-person, predictable attendance and a strong commitment to prioritizing patient care.
• Passion for delivering professional, quality care to underserved or vulnerable populations.
• Provides direct patient care by providing prophylaxis, fluoride treatment, sealants, patient education, perio-examinations, perio-scaling and root planing, application of desensitizing medication, oral cancer examination, providing local anesthesia, and other procedures as directed by dentist.
• Coordinates with front office to ensure that appointment slots are filled when there are cancellations, etc.
• Assesses patient’s medical history.
• Provides treatment and education to patients with the goal of controlling and preventing oral health disease such as caries and periodontal disease.
• Takes and records vital signs prior to treatment, when necessary.
• Records diagnosis, procedural codes, treatment notes, and treatment plans in the patient chart following internal policies, procedures, and timelines.
• Provides patient with necessary education, including pre- and post-operative instructions.
• Sterilizes and maintains instruments and supplies according to clinic policy.
• Prepares operatory appropriately for each patient.
• Assists as needed including seating patients, anesthetizing, answering phones, making and confirming appointments, and assisting with the flow of the office without direction.
• Acts as a SWMTCHC liaison and representative by providing community oral health education and services offsite to include schools, senior centers, and organizations if needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to report to work on time and as scheduled with minimal unplanned absences.
• Competent in dealing with racially, ethnically, and economically diverse populations.
• Knowledge of medications used in conjunction with dental hygiene work.
• Knowledge of health record keeping and dental charting.
• Knowledge of OSHA Blood Borne Pathogen Standards and adherence to safety standards.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to organize and prioritize tasks.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Arm-Hand Steadiness — The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
• Finger Dexterity — The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
• Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Related occupations.
• Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
• Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Manual Dexterity — The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
• Speech Clarity — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
• Speech Recognition — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
• Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
• Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• Category Flexibility — The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
• Control Precision — The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
• Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Flexibility of Closure — The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
• Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
• Perceptual Speed — The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
• Selective Attention — The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
• Time Sharing — The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources).
• Visual Color Discrimination — The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
• Written Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
• Ability to educate patients across the lifespan in all aspects of oral hygiene including consequences and treatment options for periodontal disease

Legal Concepts:

• Practices with the scope of education, training, and personal capabilities.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Follows federal, state, and local legal guidelines; follows license criteria when licensure applies.
• Maintains HIPAA & OSHA compliance.
• Reports any evidence of abuse or neglect to provider or the appropriate official.

Supervision: This position has no supervisory responsibilities

Immediate Supervisor: Dental Director; in their absence, designee

Physical Demands/Working Conditions:

General office/clinic conditions are pleasant; good, clean working conditions where accidents and hazards are negligible; requires short periods of moderate lifting, pushing or pulling objects up to twenty pounds. Clear diction and acute hearing are necessary for effective communication with the staff and public.

Position is based in the Butte; however, position responsibilities may require travel to Dillon on occasion. Use of personal or company vehicle may be required for travel; therefore, a valid driver’s license, proof of auto insurance, and registration is required.

OSHA Classification I: Normal work routine involves potential for mucous membrane or skin contact with blood and/or body fluids; use of appropriate protective measures is required.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.