Dental Hygienist- outpatient Medical Center

Denver Health•Denver, CO

56d•$108,300 - $128,000•Onsite

About The Position

We are recruiting for a mission-driven Dental Hygienist to join our team at an outpatient Medical Center. At Denver Health, purpose is something we live every day. This role involves performing dental hygiene services for the care and treatment of patients in community health dental clinics. Responsibilities include assessing and diagnosing oral diseases, developing treatment plans, performing preventative prophylaxis cleanings, periodontal maintenance treatment, non-surgical periodontal therapy, oral hygiene instruction, fluoride application, and placement of dental sealants. The position also involves prescribing therapeutic agents in collaboration with an attending dentist, administering local anesthetic, applying silver diamine fluoride (with certification), and potentially applying Interim Therapeutic Restorations (with certification and permit). The dental hygienist will also be responsible for completing medical and dental histories, taking radiographs, monitoring vital signs, and ensuring patient exams are up-to-date.

Requirements

Associate's Degree in Dental Hygiene Required
1-3 years Direct clinical practice Required or Recent graduation from an accredited Dental Hygiene program Required
Dental Hygienist - DORA - Department of Regulatory Agencies Required
BLS-Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) - AHA - American Heart Association Required
Local Anesthesia - State Board of Dentistry Required
Knowledge of dental hygiene procedures and techniques sufficient to be able to perform the full scope of preventive dental hygiene services, including dental hygiene diagnosis of dental disease, oral health screenings, oral cancer screening, oral-systemic health education, fluoride treatment, dental sealants, prophylactic cleanings, and NSPT, (scaling and root planning).
Critical thinking skills for determining when appropriate referrals are needed to dental specialists, medical care and/or behavioral healthcare.
Knowledge of trauma informed care practices willingness to provide equitable care in a system that provides LGBTQ+ affirming and culturally diverse healthcare.
Knowledge of motivational interviewing practices and ability to have effective coaching conversations with patients and their families around nutrition, oral-systemic health, oral diseases, home hygiene and substance use.
Complies with Dental Practice Act for continuing education requirements.
May administer nitrous oxide for patient management under direct supervision according to the dental practice act.
Knowledge of ALARA principles for prescribing and capturing dental radiographs.

Nice To Haves

With the appropriate certification as determined by the Dental Practice Act: Prescribes and applies silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for arresting caries, dentinal hypersensitivity and caries prevention.
With the appropriate permit from the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) and as determined by the Dental Practice Act: After prescription of an interim therapeutic restoration (ITR) from a supervising dentist, places ITR on pediatric and adult patients.

Responsibilities

Performs dental hygiene assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning for dental hygiene services.
Provides preventative dentistry.
Completes non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT).
Takes digital radiographs for diagnosing periodontal conditions and identifying dental abnormalities.
Completes oral cancer screenings and takes intraoral images when indicated for appropriate referral and follow-up.
Completes a Caries Risk Assessment on all patients.
Completes patient care notes within 72 hours of registration.
Assists with sterile processing preparation.
May be asked to fill-in at other community dental clinics, in Medical-Dental Integration programs or school-based programs.

Benefits

Generous paid time off, fully paid parental leave, exceptional retirement contributions, comprehensive health coverage, and nationally recognized well-being programs.
Tuition assistance, career advancement pathways, and professional development.
Meaningful financial advantages through loan forgiveness eligibility and employer contributions.
Paid time off starting at 28 days per year, inclusive of vacation, personal/sick, and 7 Holidays
100% paid parental leave up to 6 weeks
Immediate eligibility for retirement plans with employer contribution up to 9.5%
Generous medical, dental, vision plans in addition to employer paid disability and life insurance.
Comprehensive well-being programs including on-site employee fitness center located on Denver Health main campus and nationally recognized RESTORE Center
Free RTD EcoPass (public transportation)
Childcare discount programs & exclusive perks on large brands, travel, and more
Tuition reimbursement & assistance
Education, coaching, and professional development opportunities through the Workforce Development Center (WFDC) that support internal career growth and advancement pathways
Professional clinical advancement program & shared governance
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer+ free student loan coaching and assistance navigating the PSLF program
National Health Service Corps (NHCS) and Colorado Health Service Corps (CHSC) eligible employer