Lead Hygienist- Manhattan

Tend•New York, NY

4d•$58 - $82•Onsite

About The Position

As a Lead Dental Hygienist at Tend, you’ll do more than deliver top-tier preventive care — you’ll also set the standard for hygiene excellence in your studio. You’ll model best practices for patient care, mentor and coach fellow hygienists and hygiene assistants, and collaborate with dentists and operations leaders to drive both clinical and business success. You’ll still treat a well-booked schedule of patients in our Team (Assisted) Hygiene model, while also guiding protocols, training, and continuous improvement for the hygiene team. At Tend, we’re committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive environment where both our patients and our teams feel respected, represented, and truly cared for. Our model is built for driven hygienist leaders: those who value autonomy, inspire others, and take pride in building a culture of high-performance care.

Requirements

Degree from an accredited dental hygiene program
Current, active hygiene license in the state you’re applying for
Current Anesthesia/Nitrous license in applicable state
Current CPR/BLS certification
Comfort with digital charting and x-rays, intraoral cameras, and technology-driven care
Ability to model accountability, give feedback, and support teammates in their professional growth
Open to a full-time schedule (32–40 hours/week including AM/PM and Saturday shifts)

Nice To Haves

Prior leadership, mentorship, or training experience in a hygiene setting preferred

Responsibilities

Deliver comprehensive preventive and periodontal care — including prophylaxis, periodontal maintenance, scaling and root planing (SRP), gingivitis scaling, oral cancer screenings, iTero scans, sealants, Zoom whitening, Perio Protect, Curodont, fluoride treatments, and patient education — all in alignment with evidence-based clinical guidelines
Provide hands-on training for new hygienist hires and oversee the onboarding and development of hygienists and hygiene assistants to reinforce Tend’s clinical standards, workflows, and patient care protocols
Offer ongoing mentorship to hygienists and hygiene assistants, supporting their clinical growth, confidence, and professional development
Provide regular, constructive feedback to support performance improvement, reinforce expectations, and maintain consistent hygiene standards across the team
Collaborate with dental assistants to optimize studio-wide hygiene flow, sterilization protocols, and room turnover efficiency
Partner with dentists on exams and treatment planning, reinforcing comprehensive care and seamless handoffs for patients
Proactively drive hygiene production across the team by identifying opportunities, supporting same-day treatment acceptance, and monitoring key performance metrics
Lead regular hygiene team meetings and champion continuing education and development opportunities for the hygiene team
Lead and drive Tend’s Team (Assisted) Hygiene model, ensuring hygienists and assistants work together effectively to maximize efficiency, elevate patient care, and maintain a high-performing clinical environment
Partner closely with studio managers and doctors to ensure the hygiene department is meeting patient care, quality, and business objectives
Build strong, lasting relationships with patients through trust, education, and consistent care — setting the tone for the hygiene experience at Tend
Champion new clinical and operational initiatives within the hygiene team, leading by example and supporting the adoption of best practices across the studio

Benefits

Competitive hourly rate
Monthly bonus based on production
Assisted Hygiene – A dental assistant to support your patient flow and prep
CE & Professional Development – Virtual and in-person learning opportunities, with added leadership training for Leads
Malpractice Insurance – Full coverage provided
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Dental Wellness Program
Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
Company holidays
401(k) plan
Life & AD&D insurance
EAP
Legal support
FSAs
HSAs
Pre-tax transit benefits