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Tufts University
Groton, Massachusetts

Dental Hygienist - Tufts Special Care Dental Clinics

DentalPart-Time

Listed compensation

$37.10–$51.20 /hr

The week · per this posting · Tuesday – Friday

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 1mo ago · Verified live

Job Description

This position is located in Groton, MA.

This is a part-time position, working 28 hours per week, Tuesday-Friday, 8am-4pm.

Tufts University School of Dental Medicine (TUSDM) offers one of the most forward-looking educational environments in dental medicine in the country. Tufts Special Care Dental Clinics (formerly Tufts Dental Facilities for Persons with Special Needs) is a network of seven outpatient clinics that provides dental care to approximately 7,000 developmentally disabled patients in the state of Massachusetts under the umbrella of TUSDM and in partnership with the Massachusetts Departments of Public Health (DPH) and Developmental Services (DDS).

In addition to outpatient services, patient care is also delivered in operating room settings at three affiliated hospitals within the state. TSCDC serves as a vital teaching venue for General Practice Residents through the Tufts GPR program and for fourth-year dental students, offering hands-on experience in treating patients with special needs.

What You'll Do

The Dental Hygienist plays a vital role in delivering high quality, patient centered oral health care.

This position is responsible for performing comprehensive preventive and therapeutic hygiene services, including clinical assessments, periodontal treatments, radiographs, fluoride applications, and patient education, while ensuring all medical histories and clinical documentation are accurately maintained.

Collaborating with the dental team, the Dental Hygienist supports coordinated care, treatment planning, and scheduling to promote optimal oral health outcomes.

Through effective communication, clinical expertise, and a commitment to disease prevention, this role contributes to a positive patient experience and the overall effectiveness of dental practice.

Review and update medical histories and provide comprehensive preventive and therapeutic oral health care, including assessments, periodontal treatments, fluoride applications, radiographs, and patient/caregiver education. Collaborate with the dental team to support treatment planning and maintain precise detailed clinical documentation, ensuring high quality patient care.

Support clinical operations by managing hygiene and clinical supplies, maintaining equipment and infection control protocols, ensuring OSHA and HIPAA compliance, and providing backup assistance with appointment confirmations and scheduling.

Promote smooth clinic operations and a positive patient experience by collaborating with staff and trainees, maintaining a professional and welcoming environment, and demonstrating patient centered values that support the clinic’s mission.

Travel to other clinics required.

All other duties as required.

What We're Looking For

Basic Requirements

  • Knowledge and experience typically acquired by an Associate's Degree in Dental Hygiene.
  • 1-3 years Clinical dental hygiene experience.
  • Intermediate proficiency in dental practice management software and Microsoft Office applications.
  • Dental Hygienist - Massachusetts State License.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree.
  • Experience in treating patients with developmental, behavioral, or medical complexities.

Pay Range

Minimum $37.10, Midpoint $44.10, Maximum $51.20

Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.

Key Responsibilities

The Dental Hygienist performs comprehensive preventive and therapeutic oral health care, including clinical assessments, periodontal treatments, and patient education. They also collaborate with the dental team to support treatment planning, maintain clinical documentation, and ensure compliance with safety protocols.

Requirements

Candidates must hold an Associate's Degree in Dental Hygiene and a Massachusetts State License. They should have 1-3 years of clinical experience and proficiency in dental practice management software.

Qualifications

Education
Associate degree
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

OSHA compliance

Dentistry Career Context

The cost-of-living index for Massachusetts is 105.8 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 63.2% of Massachusetts clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

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Work-life snapshot

median 3.9this job 3.0
Better work-life than 40% of Dental Hygienist listings

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

Living in Groton

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$696k
Median resident rent
$349/mo
Residents’ average commute
33 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
108.3
State income tax
Up to 5%
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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