Dental Hygienist - Per Diem

Overview

Family Centers is seeking a caring, motivated, and well-organized Dental Hygienist to join our team. Family Centers Health Care, a FQHC (Federally Qualified Health Center), provides primary healthcare, dental, and mental health services to children and adults living in Greenwich and Stamford with an emphasis on the special population living in or near public housing.

The Role

As a Dental Hygienist with our team, you’ll be a vital partner in advancing community health by delivering compassionate, high‑quality preventive oral care. In this dynamic role, you’ll provide comprehensive hygiene services, collaborate closely with dentists during clinical procedures, and build trusting relationships with patients through education and support. If you’re passionate about making a meaningful impact, working in a supportive, team-driven environment, and helping patients achieve lifelong oral wellness, we invite you to bring your expertise to our mission-driven organization.

This is a per diem position with flexible/variable hours.

Responsibilities

• Clinical care & patient education
• Perform oral hygiene assessments and record findings in the patient’s dental record.
• Provide preventive dental services, including prophylaxis, scaling, sealant application, and fluoride treatments, in compliance with Connecticut Dental Practice Act and center protocols.
• Take and process dental radiographs (X-rays) as directed by the dentist.
• Educate patients on proper oral hygiene techniques and provide individualized counseling.
• Conduct oral cancer screenings and periodontal charting.
• Organize treatment rooms for each patient, ensuring instruments, records, and materials are prepared.

• Compliance & infection control
• Disinfect and sterilize instruments according to CDC, OSHA, and ADA standards.
• Maintain treatment areas and equipment in compliance with infection control and safety protocols.
• Adhere to HIPAA and confidentiality requirements when documenting patient care.

• Team-Oriented responsibilities
• Collaborate effectively with dentists, dental assistants, and administrative staff to ensure smooth patient flow and integrated care.
• Participate in team meetings, quality improvement initiatives, and staff training sessions.
• Demonstrate flexibility by assisting with front desk or dental assistant duties when needed.
• Exhibit professionalism, empathy, and respect in all interactions with patients and colleagues.

• Community engagement
• Assist with outreach activities, health fairs, and educational programs to promote oral health awareness.
• Provide culturally competent care to diverse populations and address barriers to oral health access.

• Other duties
• Perform independent procedures as delegated by the dentist in accordance with state law.
• Provide on-call support for dental patients as required.
• Complete other tasks as assigned by the Dentist or Manager.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited dental hygiene program.
• Unrestricted license to practice dental hygiene in the State of Connecticut.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team-oriented environment, establishing and maintaining effective professional relationships with healthcare team members.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; bilingual (Spanish) a plus.
• Current CPR/BLS certification.
• Local anesthesia certification preferred.
• Problem-solving skills and adaptability in a fast-paced clinical setting.

• Physical requirements
• Manual dexterity and ability to perform repetitive tasks.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and perform light lifting.

About Family Centers

Family Centers is a private, nonprofit organization offering health, education and human service programs to children, adults and families in Fairfield County. Our team includes 300 professionals and over 500 trained volunteers who collaborate to provide our communities with a wide range of responsive and innovative services. Through our comprehensive network of services, more than 26,000 children, adults, families and communities receive the care, encouragement and resources needed to realize their potential.

Family Centers has consistently been recognized as one of the Top Workplaces in Western Connecticut by Hearst Connecticut Media and holds a perfect 100 Encompass rating from Charity Navigator.

For more information, please visit www.familycenters.org.

Family Centers is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees as indicated in applicable federal and/or state laws.