Dental Hygienist

University of Colorado•Denver, CO

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Colorado College of Nursing is hiring a full-time, benefits-eligible Dental Hygienist for Sheridan Health Services, a multi-site, nurse-managed federally qualified health center in southwest Denver. The hygienist provides preventive and therapeutic oral health care to pediatric and adult patients at the primary clinic and in community settings. The role is part of an integrated care environment supporting Behavioral Oral Health Integration, Medical Dental Integration, Patient-Centered Medical Home, and Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services models. The Dental Hygienist serves as a clinical provider, educator, patient advocate, and member of an interdisciplinary team, contributing to patient care, documentation, quality improvement, community outreach, regulatory compliance, and student mentorship. Work is performed under the general direction and authority of the Sheridan Health Services Dental Director. The position is on-site at Sheridan Health Services in Denver and includes travel to community outreach locations as required. The work may involve exposure to biological hazards and infectious diseases. Duties may change based on business needs and are not limited to those listed in the posting.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited Dental Hygiene program.
Current, unrestricted Colorado Dental Hygienist license, or eligibility to obtain licensure by the date of hire.
Current BLS/CPR certification, or ability to obtain it by the date of hire.
Legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship; sponsorship and employment authorization are not provided for this position.
Participate in health plan credentialing and contracting activities as required and remain credentialed with health plans accepted by Sheridan Health Services.
Comply with University, College, Sheridan Health Services, and professional policies and procedures.
Able and willing to work in a clinical environment with exposure to biological hazards and infectious diseases.
Able and willing to travel to community outreach locations as required.
Obtain and maintain a Colorado Dental Hygienist license, valid NPI number, Colorado Medicaid Provider enrollment, and CAQH credentialing by the date of hire.
Able and willing to actively participate in health plan contracts and treat both adult and pediatric populations.
Exercise sound clinical judgment and prioritize competing patient and organizational needs.
Demonstrate strong interpersonal, communication, and patient-education skills and work effectively independently and as part of an interdisciplinary healthcare team.
Manage schedules and maintain productivity expectations, including a full clinic schedule.
Demonstrate proficiency with electronic health record systems and related technologies.
Have strong organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and time-management skills.
Demonstrate leadership, professionalism, reliability, and accountability.
Commit to HIPAA compliance, patient confidentiality, ethical practice, OSHA guidelines, and workplace safety.
Commit to clinical excellence, operational effectiveness, and continuous quality improvement.
Have comprehensive knowledge of dental materials and equipment, including their use, maintenance, and storage.
Be highly responsible, reliable, and courteous.

Nice To Haves

One year of clinical dental hygiene experience.
Experience in a community health center, public health, academic, or integrated healthcare setting.
Experience with Epic Wisdom or similar electronic health record systems.
Conversational Spanish/English bilingual proficiency in a clinical setting.
Experience working with diverse and underserved populations.
Experience teaching, precepting, or mentoring healthcare students.

Responsibilities

Assess dental conditions and treatment needs using patient screening, medical and dental histories, behavioral health histories, medication and allergy review, radiographs, and dental and periodontal charting.
Provide direct patient care and dental hygiene procedures in accordance with Colorado licensure and standards of care.
Perform preventive and periodontal procedures for patients of all ages, including prophylaxis, full-mouth debridement, scaling, scaling and root planing, periodontal maintenance, polishing, and flossing.
Obtain and document vital signs, blood glucose, oral pH, salivary flow measurements, and other screenings as indicated by clinic policy.
Maintain complete and timely documentation in Epic and related electronic health record systems, including histories, treatment plans, procedures, referrals, consultations, prescriptions, and patient communications.
Take, process, and evaluate dental radiographs, collaborating with the dentist on findings and additional imaging needs.
Refer patients to dentists or specialists for care beyond the scope of dental hygiene practice.
Apply fluoride treatments, sealants, and caries-arresting medicaments as indicated; take impressions and prepare study models as needed.
Follow documentation, coding, billing, and compliance best practices; manage resources responsibly and support fiscally sound clinical operations.
Record and report patient observations and reactions, document laboratory procedures, and follow up on results as appropriate.
Educate patients and families about oral hygiene, caries prevention, periodontal disease prevention, and other oral health topics.
Clean, sterilize, and maintain instruments and equipment in accordance with infection-control standards.
Participate in BOHI, MDI, PCMH, and CLAS initiatives.
Collect and report data for grant, quality-improvement, and performance-measurement activities; participate in chart audits, regulatory compliance, and accreditation processes.
Orient dental doctoral, dental assistant, and dental hygiene students as assigned.
Assist with inventory management, ordering, and maintenance of dental equipment and supplies.
Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team and use key performance indicators to support innovative and cost-effective practice changes.
Ensure compliance with University, College, professional, HIPAA, OSHA, and other applicable requirements.
Participate in provider and staff recruitment, credentialing activities, and departmental meetings as requested.
Serve as a professional role model and support the mission, vision, values, and strategic goals of Sheridan Health Services and the University of Colorado.