Registered Dental Hygienist

People's Dentistry; Escondido (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Part time

Job summary

People's Dentistry in Escondido, CA is seeking a dedicated Registered Dental Hygienist to provide high-quality preventive care, cleanings, and patient education.

The successful candidate will perform exams, take digital X-rays, manage patient records, and collaborate with the dentist to deliver excellent oral health outcomes.

Qualifications

• Active state RDH license.
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program.
• CPR/BLS certification; Local Anesthesia or Laser Certification preferred.
• Proficiency using ultrasonic scalers and hand instruments.
• Strong ability to communicate health information clearly and calmly to patients and staff.

Responsibilities

• Clinical cleanings: prophylaxis, scaling, and SRP.
• Oral assessments with periodontal probing and medical history review.
• Take and process digital X-rays and intra-oral photos.
• Apply fluoride varnish and dental sealants for prevention.
• Educate patients on brushing, flossing, and mouth-body health.
• Administer local anesthetics or nitrous oxide as permitted by state law.
• Maintain accurate patient charts and treatment notes in practice software.

Skills

Patient communication

Team player

Compassionate bedside manner

Education

Associate's or Bachelor's degree from CODA-accredited dental hygiene program

Tools

Cavitron ultrasonic scaler

Denticon

Dentrix

EagleSoft

Job description

Description

Job Description – Registered Dental Hygienist

A Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) is a licensed healthcare professional who

specializes in preventive oral care, periodontal therapy, and patient education. Unlike

dental assistants, hygienists often work independently with patients to perform clinical

procedures and assessments under the general supervision of a dentist.

Job Summary

We are looking for a dedicated and detail-oriented Registered Dental Hygienist to provide

high-quality clinical care and promote oral health in our practice. Your primary role will

involve conducting thorough oral exams, performing professional cleanings, and

developing personalized home-care plans for patients. The ideal candidate possesses

excellent manual dexterity and a compassionate bedside manner to ensure a positive

patient experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Clinical Cleanings: Perform prophylaxis, scaling, and root planing (SRP)
• Oral Assessments: Conduct comprehensive screenings, including periodontal probing, oral cancer examinations, and reviewing medical histories for conditions that may affect treatment.
• Imaging & Diagnostics: Take and process high-quality digital X-rays and intra-oral photos to assist the dentist in diagnosis.
• Preventive Treatments: Apply cavity-prevention agents such as fluoride varnishes and dental sealants.
• Patient Education: Instruct patients on proper brushing and flossing techniques, nutritional counseling, and the "mouth-body connection" to improve long-term health.
• Anesthesia: Administer local anesthetics or nitrous oxide for patient comfort as permitted by state law.
• Documentation: Maintain accurate patient charts, treatment notes, and periodontal records in software like Denticon, Dentrix or EagleSoft.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Licensure: Active state Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) license.
• Education: Associate's or Bachelor's degree from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program.
• Certifications: Active CPR/BLS certification; Local Anesthesia or Laser Certification preferred.
• Clinical Skills: Proficiency in using ultrasonic scalers (e.g., Cavitron) and hand instruments.
• Interpersonal Skills: Strong ability to communicate complex health information simply, manage patients with dental anxiety, friendly with staff and patients, the desire to learn and grow as an individual as well as part of the larger team.

Education & Experience

• Graduation from an accredited dental hygiene school.
• Successful completion of the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and regional clinical boards.
• Previous clinical experience is preferred, but many offices welcome new graduates with strong clinical foundations.

Requirements

Looking for a friendly dependable Dental Hygienist to join our team for a temporary position in October 2026, while our current hygienist is on maternity leave. Potential for permanent full-time employment as our office is growing.

Our office is open MON-THUR 8-5pm