VitalCore Health Strategies logo
VitalCore Health Strategies
Shirley, Massachusetts

Dental Hygienist

DentalPer Diem

Listed compensation

$51/hour

The week · per this posting

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

Posted 56m ago · Verified live

Job Description

Join the VitalCore Health Strategies Team! We’re people who are fueled by passion, not by profit.

VitalCore Health Strategies (VCHS), an industry leader in Correctional Health Care, has an opening for a PRN Dental Hygienist at MCI-Shirley in Shirley, MA. *This position requires travel to between locations in our Northern region including Gardner and Lancaster*

Looking for a rewarding career in the field of healthcare with competitive wages, annual incentive payment, and excellent benefits package?

At VitalCore we pride ourselves on retaining and acquiring compassionate, dedicated individuals who are committed to providing quality services. Join our team and experience first-hand how VitalCore Health Strategies promotes a positive work environment that is based on respect and appreciation of the hard work and dedication of our staff.

Dental Hygienist Position Summary

The Dental Hygienist is responsible for providing oral care involving prophylaxis under the supervision of a Dentist and may perform educational and organizational work in promoting oral hygiene.

Dental Hygienist Schedule

  • PRN

Dental Hygienist Minimum Requirements

  • Must be fluent in English language, including reading, writing, speaking, and understanding.
  • Must be a supportive team member who contributes to and demonstrates teamwork and team concept.
  • Able to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
  • Able to deal tactfully with personnel, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the general public.
  • Possess leadership and supervisory ability and be able to work harmoniously with and supervise other personnel.
  • Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace

Dental Hygienist Essential Functions

  • Scale and polish teeth and roots. Remove sutures. Take study models. Polish amalgam restorations. Place and remove rubber dams.
  • Assist dentist in administering fluoride treatments. Instruct inmates in proper dental hygiene. Develop oral hygiene education program for patients.
  • Assist Dentist in completing diagnostic x-rays.
  • Record all aspects of treatment provided and other pertinent information in the inmate's dental record.
  • Initiate and maintain recall program for additional instructions and treatment for inmates whose condition and/or attitude indicate a need. Also completes a follow-up prophylaxis treatment in a specific time interval.
  • Check and maintain instruments, equipment, and supplies, including ordering replacements and submitting work orders.
  • Ensure proper clean-up, packaging, and sterilizing of instruments. Maintain a clean and orderly working environment. Instruct dental assistant in proper techniques and other training as directed.
  • Perform dental assessments when required. Perform other duties as required or assigned.
  • Attend training and meetings as required.

Key Responsibilities

The Dental Hygienist provides oral care, including prophylaxis and fluoride treatments, under the supervision of a dentist. They are also responsible for patient education, maintaining dental records, and ensuring the sterilization of instruments.

Requirements

Candidates must be fluent in English and possess strong leadership and teamwork skills. The role requires the ability to work independently and interact professionally with staff, inmates, and government personnel.

Qualifications

Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Oral prophylaxisDental hygiene educationPatient assessmentInstrument sterilizationDental record keepingFluoride treatment administrationIndependent decision makingCommunication

Dental Hygiene Career Context

Of the 50 active Dental Hygienist listings this role was benchmarked against, 2% are remote, 30% have no call, 72% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Massachusetts is 105.8 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$106k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $100k in an average-cost state. 63.2% of Massachusetts clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Dental Hygienist Jobs

49 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution39 jobs · 32 employers

13
<$105k
8
$105k-120k
7
$120k-135k
8
$135k-150k
3
$156k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks38 jobs · 32 employers

401k / retirement match
87%
Sign-on bonus
45%
CME allowance
39%
Loan repayment
3%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Dental Hygienist (RDH)

Aspen Dental · Elk Grove, California

$65-$70/hr
#2

Dental Hygienist

Smile Brands · Bell Gardens, California

$114k – $125k
#3

Dental Hygienist

$114k – $125k
#4

Dental Hygienist

$114k – $135k
+ 47 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 1,814 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in Shirley

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$552k
Median resident rent
$982/mo
Residents’ average commute
32 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.

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About VitalCore Health Strategies

Hospitals and Health Care
Topeka, Kansas
1,001-5,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Competitive wages
Annual incentive payment
Excellent benefits package