Dental Hygienist

Willamette Dental•Nampa, ID

18d•$45 - $53•Onsite

About The Position

The Dental Hygienist collaborates with a dental team to provide dental care and education, motivate and partner with patients to maintain oral health, and help prevent oral disease. Work must be performed within the applicable state Dental Practice Act, Willamette Dental’s mission, evidence-based treatment philosophy, and core values. Hygienists are encouraged to pursue education and the highest levels of licensure and certification permitted by state law. The position is based at the Nampa Practice and is full-time at 30 hours per week, scheduled across three 10-hour shifts. The role may require travel to other Willamette Dental locations within a reasonable range based on business needs. The hygienist uses the dental hygiene process of care to assess patients, document findings, develop treatment plans in coordination with the doctor of record, deliver appropriate care, and evaluate outcomes. Care includes patient education and counseling, preventive and therapeutic procedures, and effective communication with patients and dental team members. The role also includes infection prevention, operatory maintenance, instrument sharpening, assisting coworkers, and adhering to PPE requirements. Reliable and predictable attendance is essential. Graduation from an accredited dental hygiene program is required; a bachelor’s degree is preferred. Current BLS certification, a local anesthesia endorsement, and a current N2O permit are required. The expected hourly hiring range is $45–$53, depending on experience and other factors. The position is eligible for incentive pay under the Company’s plan. The work is primarily performed sitting and/or standing, with occasional walking, bending, stooping, and carrying light items. The incumbent uses a computer and standard office equipment and may be exposed to protected health information, which must be handled in accordance with HIPAA.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited dental hygiene program.
Current BLS certification.
Local anesthesia endorsement.
Current N2O permit.
Reliable and predictable attendance.
Compliance with the applicable state Dental Practice Act and company PPE, infection-control, and HIPAA requirements.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred.
Pursue additional education and the highest levels of licensure and certification permitted by the applicable state Dental Practice Act.

Responsibilities

Apply the dental hygiene process of care—assessment, dental hygiene diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation—to care delivery.
Gather patient data for comprehensive systemic and oral assessments, including reviewing medical, dental, and social history; taking or updating blood pressure; conducting extra-oral and intra-oral exams; charting dental and periodontal findings; and interviewing patients for risk assessment.
Expose and evaluate diagnostic radiographs in accordance with treatment and ALARA guidelines.
Document assessment findings in the Electronic Dental Records system and communicate findings to the doctor of record to establish a dental hygiene treatment plan.
Explain and reinforce treatment plans with patients, discuss additional costs, and obtain patient consent.
Deliver appropriate dental hygiene care according to the treatment plan and professional ethics, including PARQ explanations, prophylaxis, scaling and polishing, scaling and root planing, education and counseling, and other services within the applicable state scope of practice.
Provide oral health education, nutritional counseling, smoking-cessation counseling, and prognosis information.
Provide local anesthesia or N2O when necessary and perform preventive or therapeutic fluoride, sealants, and restorations as permitted by state scope of practice.
Engage and educate patients as partners in care, recommend individualized self-care and products, and continually evaluate and counsel patients on oral health status.
Recommend modifications to the dental hygiene treatment plan to the doctor of record and the patient as appropriate.
Perform infection-control procedures, including disinfection and sterilization, and use appropriate barrier techniques, PPE, and engineering controls.
Communicate effectively with patients and dental teams as an educator and advocate.
Assist coworkers, maintain the operatory, and sharpen instruments.
Follow Willamette Dental’s PPE policy, including use of N95 respirators and other PPE required by regulators or company policy.
Travel to other WD locations within a reasonable range when required by business needs and the Travel Policy.
Maintain reliable and predictable attendance at scheduled work times.
Handle protected health information in accordance with HIPAA.

Benefits

Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Tuition reimbursement
Flexible spending accounts
401(k) retirement plan with 5% match
Accidental death and dismemberment insurance
Life insurance
Voluntary disability insurance
Commuter benefits
Two complimentary pairs of FIG scrubs for clinical roles
Employee assistance program
At least 120 hours of PTO per employment year for eligible employees, prorated for part-time employees working fewer than 40 hours per week
Seven paid holidays annually
Incentive pay in accordance with the Company’s plan