Dental Hygienist

Heart of Florida Health Center, Inc; Ocala (FL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider seeks a dedicated dental hygienist to deliver high-quality dental care and patient education. The role emphasizes prevention, compliance with health regulations, and teamwork in a dynamic clinical environment. Ideal for candidates with strong communication skills and a commitment to serving diverse populations.

Qualifications

• Minimum one year of dental hygiene clinical experience preferred.
• Must maintain a current and active Florida State Dental Hygiene License.
• Bilingual in Spanish/English is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Deliver dental hygiene services in accordance with Florida Statutes.
• Educate patients about oral diseases and preventive care.
• Document patient records and perform X-ray procedures.

Skills

Excellent Communication

Cultural Competency

Emotional Intelligence

Proactive Attitude

Manual Dexterity

Excellent Time Management

Education

Graduate of a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program

Current BLS certificate

Tools

Electronic Health Record systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Heart of Florida Health Center MAIN - Ocala, FL

Position Type: Full Time

Education Level: 4 Year Degree

Salary Range: Undisclosed

Job Shift: Day

Job Category: Health Care

Description

Job Summary

Responsible for delivering dental hygiene services in accordance with Florida Statutes 466 and Administrative Rules 64B-5, including but not limited to providing dental care at HFHC locations and other off-site centers as needed (including school-based clinics and health fairs), with emphasis on prevention and education of patients about oral diseases. Responsible for performing the dental treatment and associated tasks with adherence to HIPAA, CDC, and OSHA standards. Team members participate in ongoing education and training of dental team members and volunteers as needed.

Qualifications and Requirements

Education and Training: Graduate of a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program or internationally trained dentist with completed dental hygiene training and licensing requirements, including dental radiology certification, required. Certification can be obtained within the dental hygiene program or post-graduate continuing education. Nitrous Oxide Analgesia training is preferred. Minimum One (1) year of dental hygiene clinical experience preferred. Certification and Licensure: Must have passed the National Dental Hygiene Boards and possess and maintain a current and active Florida State Dental Hygiene Licenses (Department of Health/Division of Medical Quality Assurance); no history of license revocations or suspensions in any other state. Current BLS certificate from an accredited AHA provider within 30 days from the date of hire – may be available from HFHC upon request. Must have a valid Florida Driver’s license. Experience: Behavioral Management: Experience working with children is a plus. Cultural Competency: Experience dealing with underserved populations and cultural competency a plus. Must have the ability to understand and respond effectively and with sensitivity to special population groups. Special population groups include those defined by race, ethnicity, language, age, sex, sexual orientation, economic standing, & others. Excellent Communication Skills: Must have excellent people skills – good communication required. Emotional Intelligence and Adaptability: Must maintain an effective and positive professional working relationship with all dental and non-dental staff at all times. Must be able to stay positive in stressful situations and deal professionally with unhappy, fearful, and confrontational patients. Excellent Adherence to Policy and Procedures: Must have general knowledge of basic dental policies & procedures and oral health issues, especially regarding oral hygiene. Must have the ability to effectively use computer software and an electronic health record system. Excellent Time Managment Skills: Must be able to organize and prioritize workload. Manual Dexterity: Must have good manual dexterity for the utilization of specialized equipment. Dental knowledge: Must be knowledgeable in dental terminology. Competent in General Office Skills and EHR: Must be competent in general office skills such as computers (Microsoft Office products), faxes, telephones, and copy machines. Must be knowledgeable of office software (Office, Outlook, Excel), digital radiography software, and knowledge of EHR preferred. Teamwork: Must be team-oriented and maintain an effective and positive professional working relationship with all clinical and nonclinical staff, including but not limited to other Dental Assistants, Patient Service Representative, Senior Dental Staff, Dental Practice Manager, Hygienists, Dentists and Chief Dental Officer. Team member will help created and maintain a team unit for assigned provider. Proactive Attitude: Must be willing to train in additional duties and expanded functions to grow professionally within the organization. Flexibility and Attendance: Must be able to work flexible hours and at various sites as needed or assigned by the Dental Practice Manager and Chief Dental Officer. This position may require over 40 hours per week time commitment or working extended hours as needed. Flexibility and Attendance: Must be able to work flexible days, hours, and sites as needed. Bilingual preferred – Spanish/English helpful.

Essential Functions

Identify patients by the use of Double Identifiers – i.e., name and birth date. Collect, update, and record medical history, including a list of medications and allergies. Document patients’ chief complaints in their patient’s own words. Obtain vitals, including blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and or glucose levels (when applicable), and enter them in the patient chart. Operate dental X-ray equipment and take diagnostic dental X-rays as prescribed by the dentist. Maintain dental hygiene instruments, including cleaning, bagging, sterilization/disinfection, and re-circulation following OSHA and CDC standards. Clean and maintain dental hygiene equipment. Educate patients regarding dental consent forms, obtains patient or parent signatures, and signs forms prior to specialty procedures, including but not limited to scaling and root planning. Provide dental education on-site and within the community, as needed, including an explanation of oral diseases, oral hygiene instruction, and post-op instructions. Deliver dental hygiene services as defined by Florida Statute 466 and Administrative Rule 64B5. Delivers Care at any HFHC site assignments or other off-site areas, as needed, including school-based programs and health fairs. Screen and triage emergency patients, if needed. Assist in the monitoring of Nitrous Oxide Analgesia administration by the dentist. Perform operatory disinfection before and after dental procedures. Record accurate dental charting of existing restorations, new dental caries, and planned restorations. Maintains recall records and coordinate hygiene maintenance scheduling by collaborating with the dental front desk specialists. Record periodontal charting as needed for patients >18 years of age. Make detailed patient record entries after all treatment encounters, locks notes, and sends for co-signature by supervising dentist within 48 hours of services rendered. Present treatment plans prepared by the dentist and obtain patient, and or parent, signatures. Assist in scheduling appointments. Maintain proper inventory by monitoring dental hygiene supplies, instrument, and equipment function and availability, and removing expired materials and damaged instruments. Order and organize dental hygiene supplies. Maintain Log Manuals as directed by the office manager and the dentist. Maintain dental equipment by changing filters, solutions, or chemicals following the manufacturer’s recommendations, and cleans dental equipment in accordance with OSHA and CDC standards. Participate in the department projects such as School-Based Program, Medical Dental Integration, or other. Complete any necessary paperwork/data entry required. Maintain patient confidentiality at all times as required by HIPAA. May be required to travel to other HFHC locations as needed. Assists with other clinical and office duties as assigned or necessary.

Physical Requirements

Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds. Must be able to stand or sit chairside for extended periods of time.

Qualifications

Education and Training:

• Graduate of a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program or internationally trained dentist with completed dental hygiene training and licensing requirements, including dental radiology certification, required.

• Certification can be obtained within the dental hygiene program or post-graduate continuing education.

• Nitrous Oxide Analgesia training is preferred.

• Minimum One (1) year of dental hygiene clinical experience preferred.

Certification and Licensure:

• Must have passed the National Dental Hygiene Boards and possess and maintain a current and active Florida State Dental Hygiene Licenses (Department of Health/Division of Medical Quality Assurance); no history of license revocations or suspensions in any other state.

• Current BLS certificate from an accredited AHA provider within 30 days from the date of hire – may be available from HFHC upon request.

• Must have a valid Florida Driver’s license.

Experience:

• Behavioral Management: Experience working with children is a plus.

• Cultural Competency: Experience dealing with underserved populations and cultural competency a plus. Must have the ability to understand and respond effectively and with sensitivity to special population groups. Special population groups include those defined by race, ethnicity, language, age, sex, sexual orientation, economic standing, & others.

• Excellent Communication Skills: Must have excellent people skills – good communication required.

• Emotional Intelligence and Adaptability: Must maintain an effective and positive professional working relationship with all dental and non-dental staff at all times. Must be able to stay positive in stressful situations and deal professionally with unhappy, fearful, and confrontational patients.

• Excellent Adherence to Policy and Procedures: Must have general knowledge of basic dental policies & procedures and oral health issues, especially regarding oral hygiene.

• Must have the ability to effectively use computer software and an electronic health record system.

• Excellent Time Managment Skills: Must be able to organize and prioritize workload.

• Manual Dexterity: Must have good manual dexterity for the utilization of specialized equipment.

• Dental knowledge: Must be knowledgeable in dental terminology.

• Competent in General Office Skills and EHR: Must be competent in general office skills such as computers (Microsoft Office products), faxes, telephones, and copy machines. Must be knowledgeable of office software (Office, Outlook, Excel), digital radiography software, and knowledge of EHR preferred.

• Teamwork: Must be team-oriented and maintain an effective and positive professional working relationship with all clinical and nonclinical staff, including but not limited to other Dental Assistants, Patient Service Representative, Senior Dental Staff, Dental Practice Manager, Hygienists, Dentists and Chief Dental Officer. Team member will help created and maintain a team unit for assigned provider.

• Proactive Attitude: Must be willing to train in additional duties and expanded functions to grow professionally within the organization.

• Flexibility and Attendance: Must be able to work flexible hours and at various sites as needed or assigned by the Dental Practice Manager and Chief Dental Officer. This position may require over 40 hours per week time commitment or working extended hours as needed.

• Flexibility and Attendance: Must be able to work flexible days, hours, and sites as needed.

• Bilingual preferred – Spanish/English helpful.