Dental Hygienist

Make a Difference Through Compassionate Oral Healthcare

At The Center for Discovery’s Discovery Health Center, we believe everyone deserves access to quality healthcare that supports their health, comfort, and overall well-being.

As a Dental Hygienist, you’ll play an essential role in helping individuals maintain healthy smiles and achieve better oral health. Working alongside our dentists and interdisciplinary healthcare team, you’ll provide preventive and therapeutic dental care, identify potential oral health concerns, and empower patients and caregivers with the knowledge and tools to support lifelong oral hygiene.

This is an opportunity to combine your clinical expertise with compassion, patience, and creativity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities and complex medical needs.

What You’ll Do

Preventive Care and Oral Health Assessments

• Conduct comprehensive oral health screenings and hygiene assessments to identify potential concerns and support early intervention.
• Review patient health histories and perform oral cancer screenings and head and neck assessments.
• Obtain and document vital signs, including blood pressure and pulse, as appropriate.
• Remove plaque and calculus from tooth surfaces to promote healthy teeth and gums.
• Apply preventive treatments, including fluoride and dental sealants, as indicated.
• Maintain accurate dental records and provide information to support effective treatment planning.
• Recognize changes in oral health and communicate findings to the dentist and appropriate healthcare team members.

Patient Education and Individualized Care

• Provide personalized oral hygiene education, including brushing, flossing, and nutritional guidance.
• Help patients and caregivers understand preventive strategies and daily oral care routines.
• Adapt communication and care approaches to meet each individual's abilities, preferences, and needs.
• Build trust and promote positive dental experiences through patience, empathy, and encouragement.
• Provide thoughtful, supportive care for individuals who may experience dental anxiety or require additional time and assistance.
• Collaborate with families, caregivers, and interdisciplinary team members to reinforce oral health goals.

Clinical Treatment and Evidence-Based Practice

• Deliver preventive and therapeutic dental hygiene services in accordance with professional standards and applicable regulations.
• Take and develop dental radiographs (X-rays) in accordance with regulatory requirements.
• Obtain impressions for study models and treatment planning when indicated.
• Assist the dentist during procedures as needed.
• Prepare treatment rooms, equipment, and patients for dental care.
• Operate and maintain dental equipment safely and effectively.
• Follow infection prevention protocols and use personal protective equipment appropriately.
• Provide timely, high-quality care while supporting efficient clinic operations and scheduled patient appointments.

Documentation, Compliance, and Clinic Operations

• Complete accurate, thorough, and timely clinical documentation in accordance with organizational standards.
• Finalize and lock clinical notes within 72 hours.
• Maintain patient records in compliance with HIPAA, The Center for Discovery's privacy policies, and applicable regulations.
• Follow New York State Dental Practice Act requirements and New York State Department of Health Article 28 clinic regulations.
• Support clinic workflow and administrative activities as needed.
• Maintain professional standards, productivity expectations, and quality-of-care requirements established by the clinic administrator.

Person-Centered Care and Professionalism

• Help create a safe, clean, organized, and welcoming healthcare environment.
• Treat every individual and family with dignity, compassion, respect, and professionalism.
• Follow The Center for Discovery’s Staff Actions and person-centered philosophy.
• Demonstrate sound judgment, integrity, and accountability in daily practice.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to support each individual's health, wellness, and quality of life.

What You’ll Bring

Required qualifications

• Associate degree or higher in Dental Hygiene.
• Current New York State Dental Hygienist license.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities or complex medical needs.
• Certification or authorization to administer local anesthesia and nitrous oxide, as applicable to the position and permitted by New York State regulations.

We’re looking for a compassionate, patient, and detail-oriented professional who enjoys working as part of a collaborative healthcare team and is committed to delivering individualized, high-quality care.

Core Competencies

At The Center for Discovery, our work is grounded in respect, teamwork, and a commitment to helping every individual thrive. We value team members who demonstrate:

• Putting People First: Recognizing and supporting each person's unique abilities, personality, preferences, and potential.
• Teamwork and Communication: Building positive relationships, communicating effectively, and collaborating across disciplines.
• Professionalism and Cultural Sensitivity: Demonstrating integrity, inclusion, equity, and respect in every interaction.
• Supporting Good Health: Promoting oral health, wellness, preventive care, and positive health outcomes.
• Adaptability: Responding thoughtfully to individual needs, changing priorities, and different care situations.

Physical Requirements

This role involves working in a clinical dental environment and may require:

• Wearing appropriate personal protective equipment, including masks, gloves, safety glasses, and N95 respirators when required.
• Frequent standing and walking throughout the workday.
• Frequent lifting of materials and equipment weighing up to 25 pounds, with occasional lifting of heavier items.
• Frequent bending, reaching, and stooping.
• Assisting with patient mobility and wheelchair transportation.
• Providing physical assistance with patient transfers, including two-person assistance when required by established protocols.
• Exposure to communicable diseases, bodily fluids, dental materials, and other clinical elements.
• Occasional exposure to noise and odors.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Work Environment

You’ll work in a dental clinic within the Discovery Health Center, collaborating with dentists, dental assistants, patients, families, and interdisciplinary healthcare professionals. The environment requires attention to detail, flexibility, and a strong commitment to patient safety, infection control, and quality care.

The dental suite may become warm during the workday, and maintaining a clean, safe, and organized treatment area is an important part of the role.

Join Our Team

If you’re passionate about preventive healthcare and want to use your skills to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, we invite you to explore the opportunity to join The Center for Discovery’s Discovery Health Center team.

This job description outlines the general nature and scope of the position and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties or responsibilities. Responsibilities may be adjusted based on organizational and clinical needs.