Lead Hygienist

Tend•New York, NY

34d•$58 - $62•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. We offer a competitive hourly rate and monthly bonus based on production with top earning Hygienists making an additional $15/hr+ in bonus. You’ll receive transparency and support to help you thrive — no surprises, just opportunity.

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
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
Comfort with digital charting and x-rays, intraoral cameras, and technology-driven care

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 leadership and mentorship to hygienists and hygiene assistants, setting expectations, coaching performance, and ensuring adherence to Tend’s clinical standards
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 metrics
Lead regular hygiene team meetings, provide feedback, and champion CE opportunities and professional development for the hygiene team
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

Benefits

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
Health Comes First – Medical, dental, and vision insurance — plus our own Dental Wellness Program
Time to Recharge – Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and company holidays — because rest is productive
Plan for the Future – 401(k) with company match
Support, When You Need It – Life & AD&D insurance, EAP, legal support, and more
Smart Spending Options – FSAs, HSAs, and pre-tax transit benefits

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