Dental Hygienist

About the Role

Works as part of a dental care team providing comprehensive, community-based dental services consistent with RDH certification, primarily to pediatric patients and a limited population of adult patients.

Responsibilities

• Performs standard dental hygiene treatments, oral evaluations, preventive dental health education, and mouth care.
• Ensures each patient is briefly examined by a licensed dentist at each visit.
• Consults with a licensed dentist when referral for additional services is appropriate.
• Reviews patient dental care history prior to patient appointment and checks medical records for relevant information.
• Follows all patient care standards, policies, and procedures.
• Reviews and annotates patient oral, medical, family, and social history.
• Takes, develops, mounts, and files dental radiographs that meet minimum departmental standards for quality and readability.
• Understands proper positioning technique and requirements for panoramic and/or cephalometric films.
• Checks image quality and reviews with provider before retaking to minimize radiation exposure.
• Takes digital photographs as instructed and may scan physical images into the electronic dental record.
• Charts teeth and conditions in the patient’s electronic dental record as directed by the licensed provider.
• Educates patients, parents, and caregivers about procedures, post-care treatment, and long-term oral care, modifying instructions for age-appropriate communication.
• Prepares for patient care by ensuring a clean and safe environment, setting up treatment materials/tools, and handling sterile instruments according to standard procedures.
• Follows department/ADA-approved procedures for disinfecting and cleaning the operatory between patient visits.
• Documents and enters charges for all procedures performed in a timely manner according to departmental standards.
• Schedules appointments in the system.

Requirements

• Associate’s Degree is required.
• 1 year of full-time experience in pediatric dentistry is required.
• Current Massachusetts license as a Registered Dental Hygienist (R.D.H.).
• Current CPR certification is required.

Pay

The posted pay range reflects Boston Children’s reasonable and good-faith expectation for this role at the time of posting. Any base pay offer depends on skills, experience, education, certifications, and other job-related factors.

Benefits

• Flexible schedules.
• Affordable health, vision, and dental insurance.
• Child care and student loan subsidies.
• Generous levels of time off.
• 403(b) Retirement Savings plan and Pension.
• Tuition and certain License and Certification Reimbursement.
• Cell phone plan discounts.
• Discounted rates on T-passes.