Dental Hygienist, Penn Dental Medicine at PHMC Health Center on Cedar

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 Medicine at PHMC Health Center on Cedar

Job Profile Title

Dental Hygienist

Job Description Summary

The Dental Hygienist for Penn Dental Medicine’s (PDM) team at Public Health Management Corporation’s (PHMC) Cedar campus will provide direct patient care and clinical, as well as student and resident support.

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.

• Prepares patient for dental hygiene treatment by setting up and breaking down operatory
• Escort patients to and from operatories.
• Review medical and dental history, current medications and determine adaptations and modifications to care based on patients’ current health status
• Acquaints patients with preventive care-oriented practice philosophy.
• Perform thorough oral prophylaxis (debridement) on scheduled patients which include proper use of ultrasonic cleaning devices, scaling instruments, polishing and flossing as needed.
• Completes periodontal scaling and root planning and periodontal maintenance on selected patients as needed.
• Conduct and document dental and periodontal assessments, risk assessments, including oral cancer screening, charting conditions of decay and oral disease (via axiUm), exposing and 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, SDF, and occlusal sealants on indicated patients, recommending decay-preventing agents as needed.
• Educate and motivate patients by providing individualized oral hygiene and preventive care instructions designed to prevent and control dental decay, gingivitis and periodontal disease, presents and explains treatment plans to patients, demonstrates effective communication to bridge the gap between a pending treatment plan and a completed treatment plan, provides postoperative instructions and schedules subsequent visits.
• Determines appropriate recall interval for patients for continuing care and communicates this information for scheduling.
• Additional duties as assigned

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.
• PA dental hygiene license is required; PA permit in administration of local anesthesia and/or PA licensure as a public health dental hygiene practitioner is preferred
• 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 Fingerprinting Database is required.
• Experience with AxiUm preferred, experience with other dental electronic health records is required
• Ability to accommodate different scheduling requirements based on the operational needs of the Cedar Campus.

Job Location – City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

School of Dental Medicine

Pay Range

$28.48 – $41.00 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, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile. 

Affirmative Action Statement 

Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements 

Background check 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.

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

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