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Overview & Benefits
Oakland County is more than just a workplace. It is a place where you can make a real difference. As one of Michigan’s leading public service organizations, we are committed to strengthening communities, delivering essential services, and improving the quality of life for nearly 1.3 million residents.
When you join our team, you become part of a mission-driven workforce guided by integrity, innovation, and a passion for public service. We offer competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to do meaningful work that matters. Apply today and help shape the future of Oakland County, where we are All Ways Moving Forward.
For more information about Oakland County benefits and employee perks, please visit:
https://www.oakgov.com/government/human-resources/benefits/new-hire
General Summary
$32.32-$43.31/hrOnsite, Pontiac, MI
Grant-Funded
Part-Time Dental Hygienist
Health Division – Public Health Programs
Oakland County, Michigan
Help Improve the Oral Health of Children and Families in Our Community
At Oakland County Government, we believe that access to quality oral health care is essential for healthy communities. The Health Division is seeking a compassionate and skilled Part-Time Dental Hygienist to help provide preventive dental services and education to children and families throughout the county.
In this role, you’ll work directly with youth living at Oakland County Children’s Village, assist with clinical dental services, and travel to community locations to provide oral health screenings and education. If you’re passionate about preventing disease, educating patients, and making a difference in public health, this is a meaningful opportunity to use your skills to serve the community.
Why You’ll Love This Job
Make a Difference in Young Lives
Help children maintain healthy smiles and prevent oral disease through early intervention and education.
Work With a Collaborative Public Health Team
Partner with dentists, health educators, and public health professionals dedicated to improving community health.
Educate and Empower Patients
Teach children and families practical ways to maintain lifelong oral health.
What You’ll Do
Provide Preventive Dental Care
• Perform dental cleanings, removing plaque, calculus, and stains to prevent oral disease
• Apply fluoride treatments to help reduce tooth decay
• Take digital radiographs and identify areas of concern for the dentist’s review
• Conduct preliminary oral examinations and record clinical findings
Support Dental Clinical Services
• Assist the dentist during oral health screenings, examinations, and
restorative procedures
• Prepare instruments and treatment areas
• Clean and sterilize dental instruments and equipment following infection
control protocols
Educate Patients on Oral Health
• Demonstrate proper brushing, flossing, and oral hygiene techniques
• Provide patients with oral health education and preventive care supplies
• Explain the progression of oral disease and strategies to maintain oral
health
Conduct Screenings and Outreach
• Provide oral health screenings for children and adults in community settings
• Travel to schools, clinics, and community locations throughout Oakland County
• Support public health initiatives focused on oral health prevention
Maintain Clinical Records and Supplies
• Record patient findings and procedures in medical records
• Monitor dental supply inventory and request additional supplies when needed
• Maintain infection control standards and equipment sterilization procedures
Support Program Operations
• Assist with scheduling hygiene and dentist appointments at Children’s Village
• Help with administrative tasks such as answering phones and processing referrals
• Collaborate with Health Educators to develop educational materials and outreach resources
Minimum Qualifications
EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
A.   REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Licensed by the Michigan Board of Dentistry to practice dental hygiene in the State of Michigan.
Possess a valid United States motor vehicle operator’s or chauffeur’s license.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Removes accretions, calculus deposits and stains from the surface of teeth using appropriate dental equipment or manual method to combat oral disease and maintain optimum oral health.
Applies topical fluoride to teeth following established methods to aid in reducing tooth decay.
Takes digital radiographs of patient’s mouths and notes suspicious areas of possible oral disease for the attention of the Dentist.
Demonstrates the correct techniques involved in good oral health care and provides information and oral health care supplies to patients to ensure proper oral health maintenance.
Performs preliminary examinations that involves charting visual/clinical findings, classifying occlusion, and cancer screening for use in medical records and in setting guidelines for oral health care plans.
Examines the soft tissue in and around the oral cavity for abnormalities and charts the condition of the tissue supporting the gums and bones.
Records and charts a patient’s oral health condition and procedures used in each examination in order to maintain medical records on each patient.
Scrubs all instruments and equipment used in treatment with a disinfectant solution, ultrasonic cleaner and places them in an autoclave for sterilizing.
Maintains an inventory of dental supplies and requests supplies, when needed.
Utilizes current Countywide and/or department specific software to complete assignments.
ADDITIONAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Assists the Dentist during oral screenings, examinations, and restorative treatments. This entails setting up instruments for the procedure, rinsing & suctioning, cleaning the instruments and operatory after treatment.
Establishes patient schedule for hygiene and dentist appointments and disseminating to appropriate staff in Children’s Village.
Assist in the Dental Program office such as answering the phone, mailing applications, and taking referrals.
As needed, acts as a Subject Matter Expert for other units for guidance on patients’ oral health, educational materials creation, and accuracy, and/or collaboration regarding legislative issues that are happening at the State or Federal level.
ESSENTIAL MENTAL & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to communicate to accurately convey information.
Ability to lift up to 25 pounds and move screening supplies with or without assistance.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Some assignments may include travel to other locations to assist and educate those in the community about Public Health initiatives involving Oral Health (doctor’s offices, schools, community meetings, conferences, etc.).
IMPORTANT NOTE: The primary purpose of this job description is to set a fair and equitable salary range for this job classification. Generally, only those key duties necessary for proper job evaluation and/or labor market analysis have been included. Other duties and responsibilities will be assigned by the supervisor.
Additional Minimum Qualifications
B.           ADDITIONAL DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Previous full-time paid experience as a Dental Hygienist in a public health agency.
Reasonable knowledge of and skill in applying the principles, practices, and techniques of dental hygiene in a public health clinic.
Reasonable ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with professional and non-professional Health Division personnel, representatives of other agencies, and the general public.
Reasonable ability to maintain records of dental and oral hygiene services to individual patients.
Reasonable ability to communicate effectively the educational aspects of oral hygiene to interested groups and individuals.
Reasonable ability to exercise mature judgment and initiative in analyzing problems and recommending solutions.
Familiar with current word processing, spreadsheet, database, e-mail, and Internet software.
C.           SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Must maintain license to practice dental hygiene in the State of Michigan.
Must maintain a valid United States driver’s or chauffeur’s license.
Must submit to immunizations as requested by the Department of Health & Human Services and periodic tuberculin skin tests or chest X-rays at County expense.
If assignment is for Children’s Village, before beginning employment, candidates will be required to provide Children’s Village with documentation from the Michigan Department of Human Services that they have not been named in a central registry case as the perpetrator of child abuse or child neglect. In addition, applicants being considered for hire will be asked to sign a form authorizing Children’s Village to request and receive a criminal history check in accordance with the privacy act of 1974.
Applicants for positions at Children’s Village will not be considered if they have been convicted of either of the following:
Child Abuse or Neglect A felony involving harm or threatened harm to an individual within the 10 years immediately preceding the date of hire.
If assignment is for kindergarten oral health assessment, before beginning employment, the following is required:
Documentation from MDHHS that the candidate is not named in a central registry case as a perpetrator of child abuse or child neglect. Clearances are updated prior to each new school year. Documentation from the Michigan Department of State Police ICHAT that the candidate has not been convicted of child abuse and neglect, or a felony involving harm or threated harm. Clearances are updated prior to each new school year.
Union*
*If applicable
EEO Statement
We are committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.
Inclusion Statement
Oakland County is committed to welcoming applicants from all backgrounds, including those with prior convictions, as we believe in providing equal opportunities for all. We value the unique perspectives and experiences each individual brings to our team and are dedicated to fostering an inclusive, supportive workplace. If you have the skills and qualifications for the position, we encourage you to apply. All candidates are evaluated based on their ability to meet the job requirements, legal obligations and thrive in our organization. All ways, MOVING FORWARD.
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