Dental Hygienist

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Dental Hygienist, Penn Dental Family Practice

Job Profile Title

Dental Hygienist

Job Description Summary

Penn Dental Medicine’s Family Practice (PDFP) is interested in hiring the best and the brightest dental hygienists – who are looking to broaden their skill sets and gain valuable experience in the art and science of the dental field. Together, the team works collaboratively to provide multi-specialty care utilizing leading techniques in patient care.

As a member of the PDFP family, individuals are provided the opportunity to work alongside a team whose mission is to provide quality dental care which exceeds patient expectations. Ideal candidates must:
1. Be ready to have a voice on a highly collaborative team
2. Stay thirsty and always seek to learn and improve upon patient service and clinical practice
3. SMILE…because WE make people smile!

Job Description

DESIRED EXPERIENCE & POSITION EXPECTATIONS

Our ideal candidate will partner and collaborate with a team of talented, engaged dental assistants and dentists in providing exceptional patient experiences.  Additionally, individuals selected for this role will have experience and champion their position as a leader of the clinical practice – serving as an educator and role model to dental assistants as well as partner and bridge for dentists and patient care.

• Experience in sedation procedures and/or ACLS certification is desired, but not required.

• Prepares patient for dental hygiene treatment by setting up and breaking down operatory, as well as nitrous units when needed

• Supports dentist with nitrous oxide unit set-up and monitoring levels through duration of patient appointment

• Ensure that operatories are well supplied with necessary supplies

• Handle sharpening, sterilization, and maintenance of all instruments and equipment

• Escort patients to and from operatories

• Help to acquaint patients with preventive care-oriented practice philosophy

• Help to maintain and manage patient recall system

• Perform thorough oral prophylaxis (cleanings) on scheduled patients which include proper use of ultrasonic cleaning devices, scaling instruments, polishing and flossing

• Conduct dental and periodontal assessments, providing oral cancer screening, charting conditions of decay and disease (via axiUm), capturing digital images (via MiPacs) and documenting interventions performed electronically by recording vital signs, clinical notes and procedures.

• Arrests dental decay by applying topical fluorides and occlusal sealants on indicated patients, recommending cavity-preventing agents as needed

• Educate and motivate patients by giving oral hygiene and plaque control instructions, presents and explains treatment plants to patients, demonstrates effective communication to bridge the gap between a pending treatment plan and a completed treatment plan, provides postoperative instructions and schedules and subsequent visits.

• Explain treatment alternatives to patients

• Review and revise patient histories and record patient's vital signs

• Chart existing restorations on new patients and notate clinical evidence of disease presence

• Record specific treatment performed on patient chart, as well as other patient information as needed. 

• Provides digital x-rays and chairside assistance when available, as needed

• Help to reconfirm and appoint patients

OPERATIONS

• Maintain patient confidence and protect operations by keeping information confidential

• Maintains safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations.

• Protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols.

• Conserves dental resources by using equipment and supplies as needed to accomplish job results; monitors inventory; maintains proper usage and operations of equipment.

• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.

• To date, clinical hours are Monday through Friday 8:00AM – 5:00PM; flexibility in scheduling is required for all positions.

• Contributes to team effort by accomplishing and supporting as assigned.

Other duties as assigned. Provide and maintain expertise in innovative solutions focused on the responsible stewardship of Penn Dental Medicine and its community experience.

EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION

• An Associate's Degree or two year college equivalent and 3 years to 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

• CPR certification required.

• Employment clearance through the State of PA to work on/with children: as determined through Pennsylvania Criminal Background Check, Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance and FBI Finger Printing Database is required.

• Experience with Axium preferred.  

• Ability to accommodate different scheduling requirements based on the operational needs of the Penn Dental Family Practice.

PROFESSIONAL ATTRIBUTES

POSITIVE ENERGY AND ENTHUSIASM, with a strong commitment to exceeding patient and team expectations

FLEXIBILITY AND OPENESS to work as a team in a variety of roles, assignments and duties

TEAM PLAYER a strong desire to be an active, long-term participant in the growth and success of the practice

ABILITY TO ADAPT AND LEARN QUICKLY, make an immediate, sustainable impact, and provide value-added service to patients and team

STRONG COMMUNICATION AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS, displaying the ability to connect and build relationships with team members/peers and patients

CONFIDENCE IN PROFESSIONAL APTITUDE and ability to effectively convey skills, knowledge and qualifications to patients

Penn Dental Family Practice is the multispecialty dental practice of Penn Dental Medicine.  With general dentists as well as specialists, patients can receive your comprehensive care for all your dental needs within each of the two practice locations.  Patients benefit from a team of experts who practice using the leading techniques and technologies in dentistry and who are committed to providing compassionate, personalized care.

At Penn Dental Medicine, our students are among the nation’s best, and they are matched in quality by the high level of instruction and research among our faculty. Our research encompasses all the basic and clinical sciences, and Penn’s emphasis on interdisciplinary scholarship encourages collaborations across disciplines. Our clinical care brings the latest techniques and technologies to patients within our teaching clinics and faculty practice. As stewards of the neighborhood in which we reside, Penn Dental Medicine participates in a diversity of community outreach programs, serving area residents while teaching our students to practice with compassion and responsibility.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

School of Dental Medicine

Pay Range

$31.55 - $45.00 Hourly Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin(including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protectedunder applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements 
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours:Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay