Dental Hygienist – School-Based Dental Program

About the Role

This unique role combines community outreach and preventive dental care in local schools with clinical dental hygiene services provided in our community health center. During the academic year, you will focus on bringing preventive dental services directly to children in local schools. When school is not in session—including holidays, school breaks, and summer months—the position transitions to providing care for health center patients as part of our dental team.

This position is anticipated to be 30 hours per week, following the local school calendar. Candidates interested in a full-time position may supplement their school-based hours with additional clinical hours in the health center during the school year (approximately 30 hours per week in schools and 10 hours per week in the health center), then transition to full-time health center hours during school breaks and summer months.

Responsibilities

• Perform dental screenings, cleanings, fluoride treatments, sealants, radiographs, periodontal treatment, and other preventive dental hygiene services.
• Educate students and families on oral hygiene, nutrition, and cavity prevention through one-on-one instruction and classroom presentations.
• Build positive relationships with children while helping ease dental anxiety and encouraging healthy habits.
• Travel to participating schools to set up and operate temporary dental treatment areas.
• Maintain accurate electronic health records and required program documentation.
• Follow infection control and instrument sterilization procedures in accordance with state regulations.
• Coordinate schedules and communication with school administrators, nurses, and families.
• Assist with enrollment, consent forms, referrals, reporting, and program administration.
• During school breaks and summer, provide dental hygiene services for patients of all ages at the Community Health Center as part of our integrated dental team.

Requirements

• Associate's Degree in Dental Hygiene
• Current New York State Dental Hygiene License
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
• Excellent communication, organizational, and computer skills
• A professional, compassionate, and patient-centered approach
• Experience with electronic health records (eClinicalWorks experience preferred)

About Us

At the Community Health Center of the North Country, our mission is to provide comprehensive, equitable, and accessible high-quality health care and human services to people of all income levels and those with individualized needs. Our team lives this mission every day through our core values of Collaboration, Accessibility, Fairness, Integration, Innovation, and Integrity. We believe every child deserves access to quality preventive dental care, regardless of where they live or their family's circumstances.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Generous paid time off and paid holidays
• Retirement plan with employer contribution
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Continuing education and professional development opportunities
• A supportive, mission-driven team environment