Practice location
full-time 5 days ago

Dental Hygienist

KinderSmile Foundation

Trenton, NJ 08608
50 - 55/hr

About the Practice

N/A Team Members
Eaglesoft Software

Office Tour & Photos

Job Description

Position Title: Dental Hygienist
Reports to: Dental Home Director
Direct Reports: None
Location: KinderSmile Community Oral Health Center- Trenton
About the KinderSmile Foundation
KinderSmile Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing underserved children, perinatal women, and families with access to comprehensive dental care and educate children and their families about the importance of dental hygiene. Established in 2007, the foundation's mission is to ensure every child has access to a dentist and to eradicate preventable dental diseases, which disproportionately affect economically disadvantaged children.

KinderSmile Foundation operates three Dental Homes in Bloomfield, Newark, and Trenton, New Jersey, serving patients regardless of their insurance status. The foundation's staff and volunteers are committed to delivering the highest level of care and respect to everyone who walks through their doors. To date, KinderSmile Foundation has provided over $10 million worth of dental services, impacting more than 40,000 low-income patients in New Jersey and nine developing nations.

The foundation's flagship program, KinderSmile Oral Health Program (KSOHP), combats oral healthcare inequity by increasing access to dental care for underserved children aged 0-18 through school and community center visits. Other programs include the Special Smiles Program, which focuses on children with developmental disabilities, the Perinatal Health & Wellness Program for pregnant women and new mothers, and the annual Give Kids A Smile Day event that provides free dental care in a fun, educational setting.

By offering community-based oral health education, dental care, and support for current and future healthcare professionals, KinderSmile Foundation works tirelessly towards a future free of dental diseases for all children.

Position Summary
The Dental Hygienist at KinderSmile Community Oral Health Center-Trenton is responsible for providing high-quality clinical hygiene services and oral health education to patients. This position requires a valid NJ hygiene license, BLS/CPR certification and excellent communication and interpersonal skills. The Dental Hygienist will adhere to all office protocols, including OSHA and HIPAA regulations, and maintaining a clean and organized workspace. The ideal candidate is friendly, punctual, reliable, and enjoys working with children. They will also be proficient in various dental procedures, such as taking impressions, radiographs, and applying sealants..

Wearing clean scrubs is a required attire for this position to ensure a professional and hygienic appearance at all times.

The salary for this position is $50-$55 per hour, depending on experience.

Location
This position will work on-site at KinderSmile Community Oral Health Center in Trenton. The Dental Hygienist may be scheduled to work off-site on occasional mornings at scheduled school and community visits.

Position Details
This position may be full-time or part-time, non-exempt, depending on your availability.

The Dental Home hours are:
Mondays: 9am-6pm
Tuesdays/ Wednesdays/Thursdays/ Fridays: 9am-5pm
1-2 Saturdays per month: 9am-2pm
School and community visits may be scheduled off-site as part of the KinderSmile Oral Health Program (KSOHP). Off-site visits require flexibility as some may begin earlier than 9am. School visits may follow school day hours.

There will be a 60-minute unpaid lunch break (Mondays through Fridays).

WhoYou Are:
As a Dental Hygienist at KinderSmile Foundation, you are a compassionate, motivated, and skilled professional who is dedicated to improving the oral health of underserved children and their families. Your expertise in dental hygiene, coupled with your exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, enables you to educate and provide comprehensive dental care to our patients.

You are committed to our mission of eradicating preventable dental diseases and ensuring every child has access to a dentist. With a strong focus on prevention, education, and patient-centered care, you strive to make a lasting impact on the oral health and overall well-being of the communities we serve.

As a team player, you collaborate with our dentists, dental assistants, and other staff members to create a welcoming, supportive, and professional environment for our patients. Your passion for oral health care and desire to make a difference drives you to excel in your role as a Dental Hygienist at KinderSmile Foundation.

What You'll Do:
Responsibilities
General Responsibilities:
Treat all patients, their families, and caregivers with respect, dignity, and professionalism.

Implement KinderSmile's philosophy of quality clinical treatment and oral health education for all patients.

Ensure license is up to date with a copy on file.

Familiarize yourself with the required manuals and policies, including OSHA and HIPAA regulations.
o KinderSmile Community Oral Health Center Operations and Protocols Manual
o Employee Handbook
o Medical Emergencies Policy
Comply with KinderSmile procedures, rules, and regulations to maintain a safe and clean working environment.

Attend staff meetings and trainings when possible.

Collaborate with the dental team to develop and implement individualized patient care plans.

Continuously update professional knowledge and stay current with dental hygiene best practices and new technologies.

Clinical & Administrative Duties:
Document patient care and treatment plans in the electronic dental record system accurately and in a timely manner.

Ensure proper maintenance and sterilization of dental equipment and instruments, following infection control protocols.

Assist with inventory management and ordering of dental hygiene supplies as needed.

Participate in community outreach programs and oral health education initiatives when possible.

Patient Support:
Greet and seat patients.

Provide clinical hygiene services to all patients.

Reinforce and provide oral education services to all patients.

Take impressions and radiographs.

Apply sealants.

Prepare patients to be examined by a dentist.

Supervise patients at the Tooth Brush Station.

Walk-out all patient treatments in Eaglesoft with the correct CDT code.

Assess patients' oral health, including medical and dental history, and develop appropriate dental hygiene treatment plans.

Provide customized oral hygiene instructions and demonstrate proper oral care techniques to patients based on their specific needs.

Identify potential oral health issues and refer patients to the dentist for further evaluation and treatment.

Workspace Maintenance and Organization:
Prep and breakdown treatment rooms.

Bag, sterilize, and store instruments.

Keep the oral hygiene bay clean, neat, organized, and well-stocked.

Comply with OSHA regulations at all times.

Ensure the dental home, oral education room, and bathroom are clean and organized.

Conserve dental resources by using equipment and supplies judiciously.

Maintain professional attire by wearing clean scrubs.

QUALIFICATIONS
The following are the minimum qualifications which an individual needs to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this position.

Education
Valid NJ hygiene license
Current BLS/CPR certification
Experience
Prior experience working with children is preferred.

Technical Proficiency
Proficient in taking impressions and radiographs.

Familiarity with Eaglesoft dental software is a plus.

Other Critical Skills
Organized, punctual, and reliable.

Works well as part of a team.

Good communication skills and use of proper grammar.

Friendly and personable demeanor.

Special Working Conditions
Exposure to infectious agents: Due to the nature of the job, dental hygienists are exposed to infectious agents such as bacteria and viruses. Proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential to minimize risk.

Exposure to chemicals and hazardous materials: Dental Assistants may be exposed to various chemicals used in dental procedures and cleaning agents. Proper handling, storage, and disposal of these materials are crucial to ensure safety.

Physically demanding tasks: Dental hygienists may need to stand or sit for long periods, as well as perform repetitive tasks that may require manual dexterity and fine motor skills.

Fast-paced environment: Dental hygienists often work in fast-paced environments and must be able to manage their time effectively to provide optimal patient care.

Noise exposure: Dental offices can be noisy due to the use of various dental tools and equipment. Dental hygienists should be comfortable working in this type of environment.

Emotional demands: Dental hygienists may encounter patients with dental anxiety or other emotional challenges, requiring empathy, patience, and strong interpersonal skills.

Continuing education: Dental hygienists are often required to participate in continuing education courses to stay up-to-date on the latest techniques, regulations, and industry standards.

Physical Requirement
The physical requirements for a dental hygienist role typically include the ability to stand or sit for extended periods, as the job often involves long hours of working with patients in a dental chair. Dental hygienists must possess fine motor skills and manual dexterity to perform precise, delicate tasks while using various dental tools and instruments. They may also need to bend, reach, and twist in order to access different areas of a patient's mouth, requiring good flexibility and overall physical fitness. Additionally, dental hygienists should have the strength and stamina to assist patients in and out of the dental chair, as well as the ability to move and handle dental equipment as needed. Good vision and hand-eye coordination are essential for performing accurate and effective dental treatments. Dental hygienists must also be able to tolerate exposure to various noises from dental equipment and maintain focus in a potentially noisy work environment.

BENEFITS
As part of our commitment to our employees and their well-being, KinderSmile Foundation provides a robust benefits program.

Join Our Team Today!

Are you ready to make a difference in the lives of underserved children and their families by providing exceptional dental care and education? If you're passionate about oral health and want to be part of an organization that truly changes lives, we want to hear from you!

Take the first step towards a fulfilling and rewarding career with KinderSmile Foundation by applying now!

Don't miss this opportunity to join a dedicated team of professionals who are committed to creating healthier and brighter smiles for children in need. Apply today and help us transform the future of oral health for underserved communities!

Note:
KinderSmile Foundation is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, and the principles of non-discrimination in the workplace. Candidates will not be discriminated on the basis of age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, marital status, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: $50.00 - $55.00 per hour
Benefits:
401(k)
401(k) matching
Health insurance
Life insurance
Paid time off
Parental leave
Retirement plan
Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
How many years of dental hygienist experience do you have?

Are you authorized to work in the US?

License/Certification:
Dental Hygienist License (Required)
Work Location: In person

Requirements

• Administrative experience
• CPR Certification
• BLS Certification
• HIPAA
• Dental clinic experience

About KinderSmile Foundation

KinderSmile Foundation is a leading nonprofit organization that promotes public health dentistry. Founded in 2007, they strive to provide comprehensive dental care to underserved children, perinatal mothers, and families, while educating them on dental hygiene. Their vision is to create a future where every child has access to a dentist and preventable dental diseases are eradicated.