Dental Hygienist

Forsyth County (NC); Winston-Salem (NC); On-site; USD 55,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

Forsyth County Department of Public Health seeks a licensed Dental Hygienist to develop and implement education and preventive oral health programs on site at the Cleveland Avenue Dental Center. You will provide clinical services to at‑risk populations, focusing on public schools in Forsyth County and collaborating with a hygienist team.

The ideal candidate can work independently, maintain accurate records, ensure infection control, and communicate clearly with patients, parents, and schools.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited two-year dental hygiene program and NC license.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Experience in public health dentistry preferred.
• Bilingual (Spanish) preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Screen patients for dental problems and initial assessments.
• Expose and process X-rays; perform prophylaxis, scaling and root planing.
• Assist dentists as needed.
• Administer sealants and fluoride treatments as necessary.
• Educate patients and schools on basic dental hygiene.
• Maintain records of screenings and referrals.
• Prepare regularly scheduled activity reports.
• Maintain supplies and inventory.

Skills

Dental hygiene techniques

Patient cooperation

Record keeping

Communication skills

Infection control

Computer skills

Team collaboration

Independence

Education

Dental Hygiene degree

North Carolina license

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Email

Job description

Forsyth County Department of Public Health is seeking a licensed and experienced Dental Hygienist to develop and implement education and preventive oral health programs, and to provide clinical services to at‑risk populations on site at the Cleveland Avenue Dental Center. The usual focus for these services is public schools of Forsyth County. Provision of clinical services on site at the Cleveland Avenue Dental Center is also included in the job description.

This position is ideal for a self‑directed individual who can work independently and provide services to a diverse population (including children and adults). Collaboration with other hygienists on the team is essential. Other important skills for the position include the following: attention to detail, infection control, ability to keep accurate records, clear written/verbal/non‑verbal communication, excellent customer service skills, and computer skills (email, databases such as Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am until 5:00 pm with some flexible night and weekend hours for community events.

The ideal candidate will possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Considerable knowledge of and skill in the application of the techniques of dental hygiene.
• Ability to secure the cooperation of the patient and to elicit required information.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions, and to interpret and maintain records and reports.
• Ability to deal tactfully with the public and to exercise good judgement in appraising situations and making decisions.
• Ability to work with other professionals and support personnel in the performance of duties typical of the dental hygienist and assisting with other duties which may be of lesser complexity. Graduation from an accredited two-year program of Dental Hygiene and licensed to practice as a Dental Hygienist in North Carolina.
• A valid driver's license is required.
• Experience in public health dentistry or designation as a Public Health Dental Hygienist by the NC Oral Health Section is preferred, but training is available to motivated candidates.
• Bilingual (Spanish) is not required but it is preferred.

Essential duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Screens patients for dental problems and to perform initial assessments.
• Exposes and processes X-rays and performs oral prophylaxis, scaling and root planning.
• Assists dentists as necessary.
• Administers sealants and fluoride treatments as necessary.
• Discusses treatments with parents of minor and pre-school children and follows up with parents.
• Provides information to patients and schools regarding basic dental hygiene and education.
• Instructs on implementing tooth brushing programs, the importance of prenatal brushing and participation in community activities regarding general dental health.
• Maintains records of screenings, follow up and referrals.
• Prepares regularly scheduled reports of activities.
• Maintains all supplies and inventory.