Community Health Dental Hygienist

Indian Health Service • Towaoc, CO

3d

About The Position

The Community Health Dental Hygienist supports quality healthcare services for the Ute Mountain Ute Service Unit and the Indian Health Service’s mission to improve the health of American Indian and Alaska Native people. The position delivers safe and effective dental services, promotes oral health and overall wellness, and serves as a principal advisor for dental health promotion and disease prevention across the service unit.

The program provides preventive, diagnostic, restorative, and periodontal outreach services in clinics, schools, and community settings. The hygienist provides advanced preventive and periodontal care, conducts screenings and examinations, captures and interprets digital dental radiographs within scope, and plans, delivers, evaluates, and documents preventive oral health programs.

Applicants must hold a current dental hygienist license in a U.S. state or territory or the District of Columbia, and meet radiological credentialing requirements. The selected individual must obtain and maintain medical staff clinical privileges. The role requires at least one year of qualifying specialized experience, or qualifying graduate education, or a combination of education and experience. A one-year service agreement is required. Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized.

Requirements

• Currently licensed to practice as a dental hygienist in a U.S. state or territory or the District of Columbia.
• Meet radiological credentialing requirements, including qualifying education and radiographer certification, or applicable federal employment/training exceptions.
• Meet the minimum qualifications through at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower federal grade level, two years of progressively higher-level graduate education or a master’s or equivalent degree in dental hygiene or a directly related field, or a combination of education and experience.
• Dental hygiene academic curriculum must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, American Dental Association.
• Obtain and maintain medical staff clinical privileges, including licensure requirements.
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Successfully pass E-Verify employment verification and a federal background investigation.
• Complete required background investigation forms within five calendar days of issuance of instructions.
• Demonstrate financial responsibility and satisfy legal financial obligations as part of the financial suitability review.
• Present two valid forms of identification before appointment; a state-issued ID or driver's license must be REAL ID-compliant.
• Set up direct deposit for payment.
• Meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the announcement closing date.
• Federal competitive-service merit promotion candidates must have completed one year at the next lower grade level; this time-in-grade requirement does not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan.
• Applicants substituting education for experience are encouraged to submit transcripts or course records; official transcripts are required from selectees before an official offer.
• Foreign education used to meet qualifications must be supported by a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.
• The position is covered by Public Law 101-630 because it involves contact or control over Indian children; applicable criminal history restrictions apply.
• A one-year service agreement is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide advanced prophylactic, periodontal, and preventive oral care for patients of all ages.
• Conduct preliminary dental screenings and review patients’ medical and dental histories.
• Perform intraoral and extraoral examinations, including periodontal charting and oral cancer screening, and evaluate soft and 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.
• Provide 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.
• Prepare and conduct educational lectures and demonstrations on dental hygiene.
• Provide advice and policy guidance to dental personnel on public health matters.
• Recommend improved methods of dental hygiene.
• Perform preventive and periodontal dental hygiene procedures, including oral prophylaxis and treatment for patients with abnormal conditions, and develop individualized treatment plans based on patient needs, oral conditions, and sequence of care.
• Obtain and maintain medical staff clinical privileges, including applicable licensure requirements.

Benefits

• Federal annual leave accrual of 4, 6, or 8 hours per pay period, based on years of federal service.
• IHS may credit newly appointed federal employees for directly related previous non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service when determining annual leave accrual.
• Student loan repayment programs may be available through IHS, NHSC, or HRSA for qualifying health disciplines; opportunities depend on agency priorities and available funds.
• Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time