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Optimus Health Care
Stratford, Connecticut

Dental Hygienist- Community Health

DentalFull-Time

Listed compensation

$77k-$115k

The week · per this posting

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

Posted 2h ago · Verified live

Job Description

At Optimus Health Care, a career is more than a job—it’s an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the people and communities we serve.

We’re proud of the dedicated professionals who bring compassion, skill, and purpose to their work every day, and we’re always looking for talented individuals who want to grow with us.

If you’re looking for a career where your work truly matters, we invite you to explore opportunities with Optimus Health Care.

Your career. Your purpose. Our community.

Optimus Healthcare is looking for a full-time experienced Dental Hygienist to join our team at our Stratford clinic.

Position Summary

The Dental Hygienist will provide preventative and therapeutic dental treatment for Optimus Health Care, Inc., including dental examinations for signs of oral diseases such as gingivitis and other preventive dental care. The dental hygienist will also educate patients on ways to improve and maintain good oral health.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

1. Provide clinical services for all ages, including prophylaxis, fluoride treatment, sealants, scaling and root planning.

2. Provide preventative and therapeutic care for all ages, including soft tissue management.

3. Provide individualized oral health care education and home care instruction.

4. Maintain compliance with departmental policy regarding accurate and timely patient charting in the MediaDent system.

5. Collaborate with dentists and other hygienists to coordinate provision of dental care.

6. Confirm and schedules hygiene patients; assists in the maintenance of the recall system.

7. Adapt to alternate practice settings and scheduling requirements.

8. Adapt to cross-training requirements, including front desk and assisting duties.

9. Comply with policies and procedures set forth by Optimus Health Care, Inc.

10. Comply with all infection control and safety procedures in all Optimus Health Care, Inc. facilities.

11. Administer local anesthesia when required for dental treatment.

12. Take an active role in department-based Quality Assurance.

13. Maintain responsibility for own professional development through active participation in continuing education programs.

14. Participate in identifying needs and supports goals and objectives that contribute to the growth of the Dental Department.

Other Functions

1. Perform other clinical duties, aside from patient care, including but not limited to, taking x-rays, breakdown and set up of the dental operatory, preparation and sterilization of the dental hygiene instruments, assists the dental assistants (as needed) in the sterilization of dental instruments.

2. Perform dental assistance duties, as needed, when there is down time.

3. Assist front office or Dental Supervisor, as needed, when there is down time.

4. Other related duties as assigned.

Additional General Requirements

Professional positive attitude, vision, understanding of customer service principals, trustworthiness, and excellent interpersonal skills to successfully accomplish tasks necessary to meet high standards of ethical and social responsibility required by this position.

Job Qualifications/Requirements

EDUCATION: Associates Degree in Dental Hygiene & Current Dental Hygiene License; have completed a local anesthesia course and obtained the appropriate license.

EXPERIENCE: Two to five years’ experience in dental hygiene; background in a fast-paced clinical setting recommended; must have a current certificate in CPR.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Spanish is a plus

Working for Optimus

  • OHC provides a fun, fast-paced working environment, where our commitment to quality is present in every job function.
  • 100% Outpatient Setting
  • Excellent health & welfare benefit options
  • Competitive Compensation
  • Optimus and its caring, multilingual staff proudly serve our community in a patient-centered environment.

Compensation decisions are made in accordance with applicable federal and Connecticut equal-pay requirements. The final offer will be determined based on job-related factors, including relevant experience, education, specialized skills, scope of responsibilities, market conditions, and internal equity.

The salary range does not guarantee placement at any specific point within the range. Eligible employees may receive employer-sponsored benefits, covering medical, dental, and vision coverage; retirement benefits; paid time off and holidays; and other employer-sponsored benefits, subject to plan terms and eligibility.

Optimus is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees as protected by applicable federal and/or state law.

Key Responsibilities

The Dental Hygienist will provide preventative and therapeutic dental treatments, including examinations, cleanings, and local anesthesia administration. They will also educate patients on oral health maintenance and collaborate with the dental team to ensure high-quality patient care.

Requirements

Candidates must hold an Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene, a current Dental Hygiene license, and a local anesthesia certification. Two to five years of clinical experience and a current CPR certificate are required.

Qualifications

Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Oral health educationRadiology

Dental Hygiene Career Context

Of the 40 active Dental Hygienist listings this role was benchmarked against, 35% have no call, 75% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Connecticut is 103.6 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$96k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $93k in an average-cost state. 62.6% of Connecticut clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Dental Hygienist Jobs

25 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution25 jobs · 20 employers

7
<$110k
8
$110k-125k
6
$125k-140k
0
$140k-155k
4
$156k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks19 jobs

401k / retirement match
95% this job
CME allowance
58% this job
Sign-on bonus
53%
Loan repayment
16%
Relocation assistance
11%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Dental Hygienist

Independence Dental Services LP · Chicago, Illinois

$75/hr
#2

Dental Hygienist

btyDENTAL WA Group · Everett, Washington

$60-$75/hr
#3

Dental Hygienist

$65-$75/hr
#4

Registered Dental Hygienist

$65-$75/hr
+ 23 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 3.9this job 1.5
Below most Dental Hygiene listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 1,875 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in Stratford

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$482k≈ 6.3× annual pay
Typical market rent
$2,319/mo≈ 36% of gross pay
State income tax
Up to 7%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026).

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

Optimus Health Care logo

About Optimus Health Care

Hospitals and Health Care
Bridgeport, Connecticut
201-500 employees

Benefits & Perks

Health & welfare benefit options
Medical, dental, and vision coverage
Retirement benefits
Paid time off and holidays
100% outpatient setting