Dental Hygienist | Per Diem (Peds & Adults)

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Location: Legacy Baker Ripley - 6500 Rookin St. Bldg B. Ste 200. Houston, TX 77074

Per Diem Dental Hygienist (Pediatric Only) - Job Overview

Schedule: As Needed | Per Diem

As a Dental Hygienist at Legacy Community Health, you will bring your clinical expertise and compassion to care that helps individuals and families achieve and maintain optimal oral health. Through preventive services, patient education, clinical care, and therapeutic support, you will make a meaningful difference in the health and confidence of patients throughout the community.

In this clinic-based role, you will build trusting relationships with patients while working closely with dentists, physicians’ offices, and the broader care team. Your guidance will help prevent oral diseases such as dental caries and periodontal disease, support early identification of oral health concerns, and empower patients to care for their smiles at home.

Why This Role Matters

• Provide preventive, educational, clinical, and therapeutic dental hygiene services that support whole-person health.
• Help identify and prevent periodontal disease, tooth decay, and oral cancer through attentive examinations and patient education.
• Create meaningful connections with patients by answering questions, explaining findings, and offering practical home-care guidance.
• Partner with dentists and healthcare professionals to deliver coordinated, patient-centered care.
• Contribute to a clean, safe, and well-prepared clinic through infection control, equipment maintenance, and supply management.
• Continue growing your skills through required continuing education and participation in the Performance Improvement Program.
• Be part of a collaborative, team-oriented clinic where your work plays an important role in the larger healthcare ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities

• Review charts, update medical histories, and contact physicians’ offices with the permission of the patient and dentist for information regarding the patients’ health.
• Provide services according to guidelines set by the dentist and any instructions from the patient’s personal physician.
• Record treatment performed and treatment plan prescribed by the dentist after patient visit.
• Examine the mouth to conduct initial soft tissue examination, including oral cancer screening, to identify dental problems such as periodontal disease or tooth decay.
• Expose and process dental x-rays and alert the dentist to observations.
• Perform oral prophylaxis on patients, scaling and polishing the teeth to remove stains, plaque, and calculus from tooth surfaces.
• Apply cavity prevention agents such as fluorides and pit and fissure sealants.
• Maintain accurate medical/dental records and documentation on each patient’s chart.
• Educate patients on proper diet, proper brushing and flossing technique, and the use of special home care instruments such as dentures, flossing threaders, and inter-dental brushes.
• Demonstrate and explain the proper care of dentures and bridges and explain the causes of dental cavities and gum disease and its prevention.
• Clarify health questions, summarize the dental findings of the exam, and explain the needed treatment.
• Practice and maintain proper infectious disease control procedures, including preparation, cleaning and disinfection of treatment room before and after each patient, cleaning and sterilization of dental instruments, and disinfection of dental equipment.
• Maintain dental instruments and equipment in proper working order.
• Monitor and maintain supply inventory.
• As necessary, assist the Dental Assistant by seating patients, cleaning packaging, and sterilizing instruments, setting up trays for dental procedures, screening emergency patients, removing sutures, taking impressions, making models, and chair side assisting.
• Attend continuing education programs as required to maintain license to practice as a dental hygienist.
• Participate in the Performance Improvement Program.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Possession of an Associate’s Degree in Dental Hygiene from a school accredited by the American Dental Association.
• Provider shall obtain, maintain and participate in the Medicare and Medicaid Programs, workers’ compensation, other federal and state reimbursement programs, and the payment plan of any commercial insurer, health maintenance organization, preferred provider organization, accountable health plan, and other health benefit program requested by Legacy.

Required Years of Experience

• Two years of experience as a Dental Hygienist, with experience in adult and pediatric patient management.
• Must maintain BLS /CPR

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

• Must be able to manage multiple deadline and decision making responsibilities.

About Legacy Community Health

The largest Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Southeast Texas, Legacy Community Health has delivered affordable, high-quality care for nearly 40 years across 50+ clinics in Greater Houston and the Gulf Coast. Our mission - driving healthy change in our communities - guides everything we do, and it starts with our people.

Approachable & Collaborative - Leads with humility, values diverse perspectives, and builds trust through teamwork.

Driven & Committed - Takes initiative and goes the extra mile to improve patient outcomes and drive continuous improvement.

Thoughtful Communicators - Pairs clinical/technical skill with emotional intelligence, navigating complex situations with empathy and professionalism.