Dental Hygienist

University of the Pacific; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

University of the Pacific is hiring a compassionate Dental Hygienist to provide preventive care in the Special Care Clinic, including local anesthesia and nitrous oxide, while ensuring infection control. The role requires working with patients who may have disabilities and educating caregivers on dental prevention.

The position emphasizes collaboration with dental students and faculty, accurate record-keeping, and maintaining efficient patient flow within a CA-resident team.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of periodontal and preventive dentistry concepts.
• Basic educational principles and patient education skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, staff and caregivers.

Responsibilities

• Provide periodontal care and dental hygiene services including local anesthesia and nitrous oxide under supervision.
• Maintain infection control standards and a safe clinical environment.
• Monitor recall/maintenance program and schedule follow-ups.
• Record/maintain patient records in dental software with accurate care plans.
• Educate patients and caregivers on prevention and treatment options.
• Assist in daily clinic operations and problem resolution.
• Monitor and communicate inventory needs for periodontal/hygiene services.
• Assist with Special Care Clinic and community PR projects.

Skills

Communication

Time management

Professionalism

Adaptability

Patient care

Education

Bachelor's or associate degree in dental hygiene

Active Registered Dental Hygienist license (CA)

Tools

Dental software

Job description

Position is eight (8) hours per day, five (5) days per week.

Position End Date

Open Date

Open Date 07/20/2026

Close Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Special Instructions to Applicants

For Applicants Seeking Job Opportunities within the University
Internal: Internal applicants will be considered within the first five (5) business days of the posting period.
External: External applicants will be considered on the sixth (6) business day of the posting period.

For in-person roles: This is an in-person role, and the successful candidate must be willing to relocate within California, preferably within 25 miles of the (City) Pacific campus.

For online roles: While this is an online position, Pacific’s three campuses are within California and its faculty and staff are mostly California residents. For administrative purposes, California residents are preferred. Out of state hires must be approved either by the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs (for academic hires) or by the Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President for Finance and Operations.

Sponsorship

This position is not eligible for a visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Position Summary Information

Primary Purpose

Under the general supervision of the Specialty Clinic, Clinic Manager provides periodontal and dental hygiene services, to include expanded functions as licensed in the State of California and by participating in Special Care programs and community relation activities. We are seeking a compassionate and skilled Dental Hygienist to provide preventive oral care and patient education to individuals with special healthcare needs. The ideal candidate is patient, adaptable, and experienced (or interested) in working with patients who may have physical, developmental, behavioral, or sensory challenges, and medically complex patients.

University of the Pacific recognizes that diversity, equity, and inclusion is foundational to the success of our valued students and employees. We prioritize policy and decision-making that demonstrates awareness of, and responsiveness to, the ways socio-cultural forces related to race, gender, ability, sexuality, socio-economic status, etc. impede or propel students, faculty, and staff.

Essential Functions

• Provide periodontal care and dental hygiene services for patients in the Special Care Clinic to include local anesthesia under direct supervision of a faculty member, charting of periodontal condition, and nitrous oxide-oxygen sedation; take digital radiographs when necessary.
• Maintain infection control standards and ensure a safe clinical environment
• Monitor the recall/maintenance program for Special Care Clinic patients, including scheduling recall appointments and follow up exams as needed.
• Record/maintain accurate, up-to-date patient records to include health history, treatment record, medical consult and other patient care information in dental software. Develop individualized care plans tailored to patients’ specific needs and abilities.
• Educate patients regarding prevention of dental disease; communicate effectively with caregivers of patients with disabilities. Recommend appropriate therapeutic regimens to prevent, manage, and reduce dental decay.
• Analyze and assist in procedural problem resolution in the daily operation of the clinic.
• Monitor and assess inventory related to periodontal and hygiene services; communicate inventory needs to Clinic Manager.
• Assist with and conduct Special Care Clinic and community public relations projects.
• Perform all other assignments as directed by the Clinic Manager, Special Care Clinic.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of periodontal and preventive dentistry.
• Basic educational principles.

Ability to:

• Provide a variety of clinical services to include local anesthesia, nitrous oxide, root planning and all other services allowable under California State law.
• Communicate effectively with students, faculty, staff patients, and caregivers.
• Apply patient management and time management skills.
• Project a professional image.
• Work in fast paced environment and maintain professional composure and demeanor.
• Manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously,
• Adapt equipment, positioning, and communication methods for patients with disabilities.
• Provide high-quality, science based dental care with compassion and empathy.
• Embrace change, be adaptable to what is required for patient care.
• Collaborate with the dental team (including dental students) to ensure efficient patient flow and provide excellent care.

Experience

• Minimum of two years dental hygienist experience.
• Experience working/ communicating to people with disabilities and their caregivers/ family.

Education

• Bachelor’s or associate degree from an accredited dental hygiene program.Active Registered Dental Hygienist licensure from the Dental Hygiene Board of California.

Preferred Qualifications

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively with students, faculty, staff and patients.
• Apply patient management and time management skills.
• Project a professional image.
• Work in fast paced environment and maintain professional composure and demeanor.
• Manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
• Ability to assist with patient positioning and mobility when necessary.

Other

• Experience and sensitivity in working with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures. Demonstrated experience in advancing social justice, equity, and inclusion in a university setting.
• Ability to engage and integrate culturally responsive practices and knowledge in their work.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative but not definitive of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Position requires alternate standing and sitting throughout the working hours.
• Occasional reaching and bending
• Frequent handling of instruments.
• Occasional computer and telephone use.

Hiring Range

Hiring Range $62.00 - $69.00 per hour. We consider factors such as, but not limited to, scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s qualifications, internal equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

All applicants who receive a conditional offer of employment are required to execute a release and authorization for a background screening.
AB 810 Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: University of the Pacific complies with California Assembly Bill 810, requiring candidates accepting conditional job offers to disclose any final administrative or judicial findings, ongoing proceedings, allegations, resignations under investigation, or appeals related to sexual harassment or misconduct within the past seven years.

Anti-Discrimination/EEO Policy Statement

University of the Pacific is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to workforce diversity across backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints. Pacific does not unlawfully discriminate in its hiring of faculty and staff, or in the provision of its employment benefits to its faculty and staff on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, sex/gender, marital status, military and veteran status, sexual orientation, medical condition, pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, or mental or physical disability, or other legally protected characteristics or combination of such characteristics. While we strive to attract a broad and representative pool of candidates, all hiring decisions are made based on merit, selecting the most qualified individual for each position.