Job description template
Dental Hygienist Job Description Template
A copy-ready dental hygienist job description with responsibilities, qualifications, skills and pay guidance: customize it for your company in minutes.
Copy the template below, replace the bracketed fields and tailor duties to your workplace. For pay, national BLS data shows dental hygienists earn a median of $98,100 ($47.16/hour); the middle 50% earn $83,570–$108,480.
Job title
Dental Hygienist
Job summary
[Company name] is seeking a dependable dental hygienist to join our team in [city, state]. In this role, you will review medical history and take vital signs, assess and chart periodontal pocket depths and support our team’s commitment to safety, quality and service.
Responsibilities
- Review medical history and take vital signs
- Assess and chart periodontal pocket depths
- Remove plaque and calculus with hand and ultrasonic instruments
- Polish teeth and apply fluoride and sealants
- Take and process dental radiographs
- Screen for oral cancer and other conditions
- Teach patients oral hygiene and nutrition
- Follow company policies, safety procedures and applicable regulations
Required qualifications
- Associate's degree
- Current license or certification as required by [state]
- Working knowledge of periodontal assessment and charting and scaling and root planing
- Gentle, reassuring manner and manual dexterity
- [Add role-specific requirements, such as driver’s license or ability to pass a background check, if job-related]
Preferred qualifications
- State dental hygiene license (RDH)
- National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE)
- Clinical licensing exam
- Experience with periodontal probes and explorers
Skills
- Dental radiography
- Local anesthesia (where permitted)
- Infection control
- Patient education
- Attention to detail
- Clear communication
Work environment and schedule
Most hygienists work in private dental offices. Others work in public health clinics, schools, hospitals and corporate dental groups. The work is detailed and done seated or standing close to patients, so posture and hand health matter. Many hygienists work part-time or split weeks between offices. Some offices offer early morning, evening or Saturday hours.
Pay and benefits
$[min]–$[max] per [hour/year], depending on experience. [List benefits: health insurance, paid time off, retirement plan, training and certification support.]
Equal opportunity
[Company name] is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law, and we provide reasonable accommodations upon request.
Tips for a dental hygienist job posting that attracts applicants
- Use the title candidates search for. “Dental Hygienist” is the clearest; alternates include Registered Dental Hygienist, RDH, Hygienist.
- Show the pay range. Postings with pay get more qualified applicants, and a growing number of states and cities require pay ranges in job postings.
- Separate must-haves from nice-to-haves. Long requirement lists discourage qualified candidates, especially career changers.
- Describe a real day. Borrow from our day in the life of a dental hygienist so applicants self-select accurately.
- Mention training. Highlighting structured onboarding: such as Dental Hygienist training: widens your applicant pool.
Next steps
Screen and interview with our Dental Hygienist hiring guide, then onboard with the 30-60-90 day plan.