Public Health Dental Hygienist at Heartland Alliance Health – Chicago, Illinois

Job Classification: Public Health Dental Hygienist

Schedule: Full-Time - 40 hours/week

Reports To: Dental Director

FLSA Status: Exempt

Location: All Health Centers

Heartland Alliance Health’s (HAH) mission is to transform healthcare for the most vulnerable – particularly people experiencing homelessness, mental illness or addictions, or struggling with multiple chronic illnesses – improving health for all and the well-being of our community.

The Dental Hygienist, under differing levels of supervision, will provide dental health care services that include cleaning, polishing, and providing preventative instructions and treatments. The Dental Hygienist may also provide chairside assistance as needed. Individual accountabilities and work volume will be established through the development of annual Success Objectives and annual Performance Evaluations, within the framework outlined below.

Clinical Duties

• Perform duties under “general supervision” which requires a previous exam within 12 months by a treating dentist but does not require the dentist to be present within the facility or location of care including, but not limited to:
• Oral Prophylaxis (dental cleaning)
• Application of Fluoride
• Placement of Sealants
• Placement of SDF
• Exposure and processing of x-rays to teeth and surrounding structures

Any Procedures performed by a Dental Assistant

• Perform the following duties under “supervision” requiring the dentist to be present within the facility or location of care including, but not limited to:

i. Administration of Local Anesthetic*

*Only upon successful completion of a training program approved by the licensing body

Additional Responsibilities

• Provide coordinated and continuous primary dental care to clients that spans the health continuum by mutual goal setting and planning delivery of care
• Provide dental health teaching and counseling that provides a therapeutic and caring relationship
• Collaborate with other multi-disciplinary professionals and community agencies to provide high quality care
• Coordinate services in conjunction with other team members to meet clients primary dental health care needs and to ensure the continuity of care
• Participate in quality assurance activities through protocol development and collaborative peer review by: assisting in join practice protocol development and identifying indicators for quality care; developing join practice protocols and identifying appropriate evaluative criteria, evaluating clinical standards of care based on the quality assurance process; implements recommended changes and/or improvements to guarantee quality of care based on the evaluation process
• Assumes the responsibility for professional development and contributes to the professional growth of others by: developing in-depth knowledge of daily program operations, policies and procedures; acting as a preceptor in the orientation of new dental care personnel, interns and volunteers; serving as a consultant in specialized populations to other dental care providers and community agencies.
• Review patient’s medical and dental history and identify any immediate or urgent needs
• Discuss with patient oral hygiene instructions that includes an obtainable plan for the patient’s needs. Identify obstacles and teach patients how to prevent dental disease. Dispense proper oral hygiene aids
• Maintain patient dental charts, including periodontal charting and proper documentation
• Take acceptable radiographs when necessary
• Stock required supplies and maintain equipment
• Work in coordination with the management to develop and implement a quality assurance program
• Demonstrate proficient skills in dental prophylaxis and proper use of equipment.
• May need to support dental assistant as needed
• Adheres to professional standards as outlined by governmental bodies, the ADA, the ADHA, private funding sources, Agency plans/policies and unit guidelines. Must keep license.
• Promote the development of clinical policies and data collection
• Other duties as assigned or required

Supervisory Responsibilities The Dental Hygienist may provide supervisory guidance and direction in the following areas:

• Acts as a preceptor and provides onboarding, orientation, and training to new dental personnel, dental assistants, interns, and volunteers on dental hygiene procedures, protocols, infection control, and clinic operations.
• Offers mentorship, coaching, and ongoing guidance to support the professional development and skill growth of team members and trainees.
• Provides direction and oversight to dental assistants during chairside assistance and routine procedures to ensure proper workflow efficiency.
• Serves as a consultant and resource for specialized patient populations, sharing expertise with other dental care providers and community partners.
• Contributes to team performance by identifying training needs, providing feedback, and supporting quality improvement initiatives. This role does not include formal hiring, disciplinary, or performance evaluation authority.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Education and/or Experience: Minimum Associate’s degree (A.A.) from an accredited dental hygiene school required; must possess RDH certification and Active Dental Hygienist License; minimum one year related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Mathematical Skills: Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
• Reasoning Skills: High reasoning ability; ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Language Skills: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operation and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
• Computer Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, Outlook/Exchange; Windows operating systems; and other software routinely used by Heartland Alliance Health.

Other Skills and Abilities: A minimum of one year hygiene experience. Previous experience in handling specialty referrals, maintaining dental records, charting and documentations is preferred. Team players with the ability to multitask and have strong communication, computer, and customer service skills are desired.

Other Qualifications: Able and willing to provide services to individuals who are experiencing homelessness and individuals who have HIV.

Benefits:

We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth.

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Wellness Programs
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition Reimbursement and Educational Assistance
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
• Life Insurance
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Physical Demand

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
• The employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to handle or feel and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee is regularly required to stand, walk.
• The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee is occasionally required to use their sense of taste or smell.
• The employee must use close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less), color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors), depth perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships), and possess the ability to adjust focus (ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus).
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Heartland Alliance Health makes all hiring and employment decisions without regard to race, creed, color, age, gender, gender identity, marital or parental status, religion, ancestry, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, sexual identity, immigrant status, political affiliation or belief, ex-offender status (depending on the offense and position to be filled), unfavorable military discharge, membership in an organization whose primary purpose is the protection of civil rights or improvement of living conditions and human relations, height, weight, or HIV infection, in accord with the Organization's AIDS Policy Statement of September, 1987.