Community Health Dental Hygienist

About the Role

Join the Indian Health Service as a Community Health Dental Hygienist and support quality healthcare services for American Indian communities. Guided by our mission to improve the health of American Indian and Alaska Native people, you will help deliver safe and effective dental services while creating healthy smiles, restoring confidence, and promoting overall wellness in the communities we serve.

Duties

• Provide advanced prophylactic, periodontal, and preventive oral care for patients of all ages.
• Conduct preliminary dental screenings and review patient medical/dental histories.
• Perform intraoral and extraoral examinations, including periodontal charting, oral cancer screening, and evaluation of soft/hard tissues for evidence of disease or pathology.
• Capture and interpret digital dental radiographs within scope; identify periodontal status, caries, calculus, bone levels, and abnormalities for dentist review.
• Instruct patients, families, staff, and community partners in oral hygiene techniques using demonstrations, visual aids, and culturally appropriate materials.
• Plan, deliver, evaluate, and document preventive oral health programs that enhance population health.
• Serve as principal advisor for dental health promotion and disease prevention efforts across the service unit.

Requirements

• Selectee may be subject to a probationary period.
• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101-630, requiring contact or control over Indian children.
• Physical Demands: Long periods of sitting, standing, bending, and lifting portable equipment.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
• Background Investigation Requirement: Successful completion of a federal background investigation is required.
• Financial Suitability Requirement: Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility and satisfy all legal financial obligations.

Qualifications

Basic Requirement(s):

• License: Currently licensed to practice as a dental hygienist in a U.S. state, territory, or the District of Columbia.
• Radiological Certification: Must meet credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75, including completion of an accredited educational program and certification as a radiographer.

Minimum Qualifications:

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, including:
• Conducting educational lectures and demonstrations on dental hygiene.
• Planning and implementing preventive oral public health programs.
• Providing advice and policy guidance on public health matters.
• Performing a full range of preventive and periodontal dental hygiene procedures.
• OR 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education or a Master's degree in dental hygiene or a related field.
• OR a combination of education and experience.

The selected individual must obtain and maintain medical staff clinical privileges, including any required licensure.

Education

This position has an education requirement. Applicants must have completed an accredited dental hygiene program. Unofficial transcripts are accepted initially, but official transcripts will be required from selectees. Foreign education must be accompanied by a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.

Additional Information

• Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: Available for applicants with disabilities covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
• Federal employees earn annual leave based on years of service.
• This position may be covered by a bargaining unit, depending on the duty location.