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.

A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021).

Responsibilities

• 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. The program offers preventive, diagnostic, restorative, and periodontal outreach services in clinics, schools, and community settings.
• Serve as principal advisor for dental health promotion and disease prevention efforts across the service unit.

Requirements

• 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. The agency must ensure that persons hired have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes.
• Must comply with the IHS Employee Immunization Policy related to vaccine-preventable diseases, consistent with recommendations for healthcare workers. Vaccine exemption requests may be available.
• Physical Demands: Long periods of sitting, standing, bending, and lifting portable equipment.
• Must successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
• Direct deposit is required for payment.
• Successful completion of a federal background investigation is required as a condition of employment.
• Financial Suitability Requirement: Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility and maintain good standing with creditors. Individuals with substantial delinquent or unresolved financial obligations may be deemed unsuitable.
• Prior to appointment, candidates must present two valid forms of identification. If one is a state-issued ID or driver's license, it must be REAL ID-compliant.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education to perform the duties of the specific position. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work.

• License: Must be currently licensed to practice as a dental hygienist in a State or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia.
• Radiological Certification: Must meet credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75, including successful completion of an accredited educational program and certification as a radiographer.
• Minimum Qualifications: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service, performing duties such as:
  • Preparing and conducting educational lectures and demonstrations on dental hygiene.
  • Planning and implementing preventive oral public health programs.
  • Providing advice and policy guidance to dental personnel on public health matters.
  • Recommending improved methods of dental hygiene.
  • Performing full range of preventive and periodontal dental hygiene procedures, including screenings, prophylaxis, and individualized treatment plans.
• Alternatively, completed 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education or a Master’s degree in dental hygiene or a directly related field.
• Combination of education and experience may also qualify.
• The academic curriculum in dental hygiene must have been accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, American Dental Association.
• The selected individual must obtain and maintain medical staff clinical privileges, including any licensure requirements.

Education

This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer.

Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at https://www.ed.gov/accreditation.

If using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript. For further information, visit https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Benefits

• Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6, or 8 hours per pay period) based on the number of years served as a Federal employee.
• IHS may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for directly related previous non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service for determining annual leave accrual rate.
• Reasonable Accommodation (RA) requests for disabilities are available and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.