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UPMC
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Dental Hygienist

DentalFull-Time

Compensation

Pay not listed

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

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Posted 1h ago · Verified live

Job Description

Join our team as a Full-Time Dental Hygienist!

Under general supervision, according to the established policies and procedures in accordance with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Dental Law, completes dental hygiene care for more complex pediatric patients that are seen in a hospital dental clinic. The dental hygienist is responsible for providing compassionate, thorough oral healthcare services necessary to preserve the oral health of patients of diverse backgrounds, complex medical conditions, and of all abilities.

Primary Responsibilities

  • Provide preventive dental care including cleanings, fluoride treatments, and oral hygiene instruction
  • Assist with dental assessments, charting, and treatment planning tailored to medically complex conditions
  • Use advanced behavior guidance techniques utilizing passive restraints like papoose boards and mouth props
  • Collaborate with pediatric dentists, physicians, nurses, and caregivers to create a seamless care experience that is safe, comforting and inclusive
  • Modify procedures and techniques to accommodate sensory or physical limitations
  • Participate in continuing education and professional development focused on special healthcare needs for dental patients
  • Expose and scan quality digital radiographs for review by dentist
  • Maintain equipment and supplies as directed by the clinic coordinator
  • Perform all necessary housekeeping tasks
  • Teach hygiene students from the University of Pittsburgh, School of Dental Medicine

High school diploma is required

Graduation from accredited dental hygiene program

Dental Hygiene Experience Preferred

Current state license as RDH (Registered Dental Hygienist).

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances

CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire

  • Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
  • Dental Hygienist

Clearances with Renewal

Act 31, 33, 34, & 73

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran

Key Responsibilities

The dental hygienist provides comprehensive oral healthcare, including cleanings and fluoride treatments, to complex pediatric patients in a hospital setting. They also collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to modify care techniques for patients with sensory or physical limitations.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a high school diploma and have graduated from an accredited dental hygiene program. A current state license as a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) and relevant clearances are required.

Key Skills

Patient chartingDigital radiographyPediatric dentistryInfection controlClinical documentationPatient educationCollaboration

Pediatric Dentistry Career Context

The cost-of-living index for Pennsylvania is 97.6 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 61.7% of Pennsylvania clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

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Work-life snapshot

median 3.9this job 1.5
Better work-life than 20% of Dental Hygienist listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 2,151 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in Pittsburgh

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$234k
Typical market rent
$1,545/mo
Residents’ average commute
23 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
94.7
State income tax
Up to 3.1%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Pittsburgh, PA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.