About this role
Description THE OPPORTUNITY At South Boston Community Health Center (SBCHC), we believe that access to quality oral healthcare is essential to overall health and well-being. As a Dental Hygienist, you will play a vital role in improving the oral health of our community by providing preventive care, patient education, and compassionate clinical support to individuals who may otherwise face barriers to receiving dental services.
This role exists to expand access to preventive dental care, reduce wait times for hygiene appointments, and help patients build the knowledge and confidence needed to achieve better oral health outcomes. Through comprehensive cleanings, periodontal assessments, oral health education, and collaboration with the dental team, you will make a lasting impact on the lives of patients across South Boston and the surrounding communities.
This is a rewarding opportunity for a clinician who is passionate about community-based healthcare and values building relationships with patients. You will have the chance to work alongside an exceptional team of providers and support staff while helping shape the next generation of dental professionals by mentoring and precepting dental hygiene students. The ideal candidate will enjoy working in a mission-driven environment where care, education, teamwork, and patient advocacy come together to create healthier communities.
WHO WE ARE South Boston Community Health Center is a federally qualified community health center dedicated to providing high-quality, affordable healthcare to all members of our community, regardless of their ability to pay.
For decades, SBCHC has been committed to delivering patient-centered care while improving health outcomes and reducing barriers to healthcare access throughout South Boston and neighboring communities.
Our Dental Department is known for its collaborative culture, experienced leadership, and commitment to exceptional patient care. We strive to create a welcoming, respectful, and supportive environment where patients feel comfortable participating in their treatment decisions.
What makes our team unique is our dedication to serving a diverse patient population. Many members of our team are multilingual, including Spanish- and Albanian-speaking staff, helping us build trust and improve communication with patients from a variety of backgrounds.
WHAT YOU’LL DO As a Dental Hygienist, you will provide comprehensive preventive dental care while serving as an educator, advocate, and partner in each patient’s oral health journey.
Primary Responsibilities: Perform dental hygiene services including prophylaxis, periodontal maintenance, scaling and root planing, and other preventive procedures within scope of practice. Conduct comprehensive periodontal assessments and charting. Obtain and evaluate dental radiographs. Administer local anesthesia in accordance with licensure and organizational protocols. Educate patients on oral hygiene practices, disease prevention, and treatment recommendations. Accurately document assessments, treatment, patient education, and clinical findings within the electronic health record. Collaborate with dentists in identifying treatment needs and supporting comprehensive treatment planning. Follow infection prevention, sterilization, and safety protocols. Support instrument processing and operatory readiness. Build trusting, long-term relationships with patients and families. Participate in outreach efforts and initiatives that improve access to dental care. Serve as a preceptor and mentor for dental hygiene students during clinical rotations. Work collaboratively with dentists, dental assistants, patient support associates, students, and leadership to provide coordinated patient care. Contribute to departmental initiatives focused on patient access, quality improvement, and clinical excellence. SUCCESS IN THIS ROLE LOOKS LIKE Developing strong rapport with patients and becoming a trusted resource for their oral health needs. Delivering high-quality, compassionate preventive care. Maintaining accurate and timely clinical documentation. Supporting an efficient and productive clinical environment. Building positive working relationships with students, colleagues, and leadership. Helping increase access to care while contributing to improved oral health outcomes across the community. WORK STYLE & STATUS Employment Status Full-Time (40 hours per week) Work Location On-Site at South Boston Community Health Center Schedule Monday through Friday 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM One-hour lunch break from 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM Additional Expectations: Occasional overtime may be required due to patient care needs or scheduling delays. No regular weekend hours are currently required. Weather-related operations follow SBCHC's established Snow Emergency Protocol. Participation in clinical precepting activities may be required based on department needs. WORK ENVIRONMENT Our Dental Department is collaborative, supportive, and patient-focused. Team members can expect a positive and professional environment that encourages communication, teamwork, continuous learning, and mutual respect. While the pace can be fast at times, staff work closely together to ensure exceptional patient experiences and quality outcomes. Requirements WHO YOU ARE You are a compassionate healthcare professional who enjoys building relationships, educating patients, and contributing to a collaborative team environment.
You thrive in a setting where communication, flexibility, and teamwork are valued and where every interaction has the potential to positively impact a patient's health and confidence.
Successful Team Members Typically Are: Friendly and approachable Patient-centered and compassionate Adaptable and flexible Collaborative and supportive Detail-oriented and organized Respectful and culturally sensitive Positive and solution-focused Strong communicators Comfortable providing and receiving feedback Committed to lifelong learning and growth You approach challenges with professionalism and empathy, maintain open communication with colleagues, and are willing to adapt to evolving patient and organizational needs. Beyond technical skills, success in this position means becoming a trusted teammate who contributes to a positive workplace culture while helping patients feel welcomed, respected, and empowered in their care. WHAT YOU BRING Required Qualifications Degree from an accredited Dental Hygiene program. Active Massachusetts Dental Hygienist License in good standing. Local Anesthesia Certification. Current CPR/BLS Certification. Required Experience & Clinical Competencies Experience providing preventive dental hygiene services. Ability to perform periodontal assessments and charting. Experience providing oral health education and patient counseling. Strong knowledge of infection control and sterilization practices. Ability to maintain accurate and complete clinical documentation. Confidence working independently with patients in a busy clinical setting. Preferred Qualifications Experience working in a community health center, public health, or underserved care setting. Experience working with diverse patient populations. Experience caring for medically complex patients. Experience mentoring, teaching, or precepting dental hygiene students. Experience utilizing Epic electronic health records. Multilingual language skills. Valuable Transferable Skills Exceptional interpersonal communication Empathy and emotional intelligence Team collaboration Cultural awareness Adaptability and flexibility Time management Attention to detail Patient engagement and education Coaching and mentoring abilities COMPENSATION & BENEFITS At SBCHC, we believe transparency and a competitive benefits package are important parts of supporting our employees.
Eligible employees may receive: Competitive salary Medical insurance Dental insurance Vision insurance Paid vacation time Sick time Paid holidays Retirement pl
