Dental Hygienist

What You'll Be Doing

Wake County Public Health Dental Clinic is seeking a flexible, high-energy, patient-focused Dental Hygienist to join #TeamWake. If you excel in teamwork, providing quality care to underserved populations, and have excellent communication skills and a positive attitude, this position is for you!

We provide comprehensive dental services for children from birth to 20 years, including those with Medicaid and uninsured low-income children. Our clinic participates in the annual Give Kids A Smile program and community outreach for early detection of childhood caries. We have received grants from the Delta Dental Foundation and the NC DHHS, allowing us to provide over 8,000 preventative dental visits at no cost.

The Dental Hygienist will provide direct clinical preventative services, patient and parent education, and guidance to dental students. Responsibilities include performing dental hygiene procedures, radiographs, infection control, and applying sealants, fluoride varnish and silver diamine fluoride. The position may involve community outreach and requires staying updated on dental techniques and standards.

Key Responsibilities Include

Direct Patient Care: Perform dental hygiene procedures, expose, develop, and mount radiographs, prepare patients for appointments, dismiss patients, follow infection control/sterilization protocols, and apply dental sealants and fluoride varnish

Educational Opportunities: Provide educational opportunities for rotating dental students, dental hygiene students, and dental assisting students

Team Collaboration: Maintain and develop a good working relationship with the entire WCHS Dental Clinic team to foster a team-centered working environment

Community Outreach: Participate in community outreach events such as Give Kids A Smile to promote public relations

Professional Development: Stay updated on the latest dental techniques and materials, as well as infection control standards specified by the CDC, OSHA, and other regulatory entities

NOTE: Upon acceptance of employment you acknowledge that (i) if you work in the Health Clinics and Public Health Division, influenza immunization is a condition of initial and continued employment, subject to compliance with federal law, (ii) actively supports and participates in department emergency preparedness and response activities, which may include temporary changes in responsibilities and working hours.

About Our Team

At the heart of the Wake County Public Health department is a dedicated team of professionals committed to protecting and improving the health of our community.

We bring together expertise in communicable disease control, environmental health, health education, school health, clinical services, and population health to deliver responsive and equitable services.

With a shared mission of promoting wellness, preventing disease, and ensuring access to essential services, we work collaboratively with partners and residents to build a healthier, more resilient community for all of Wake County.

• The Basics (Required Education and Experience)
• Associate's degree or equivalent from an accredited dental hygiene program
• One year of experience as a dental hygienist
• Licensed to practice as Dental Hygienist by the NC State Board of Dental Examiners
• CPR

Equivalent Education and Experience Are NOT Accepted

• Please include ALL prior work experience on your application and resume.
• Beyond the Basics (Preferred Education and Experience)
• More than one-year experience providing dental care in a public health or mostly pediatric population setting
• Spanish Languages skills preferred but not required
• Experience with Dentrix or similar dental software
• How Will We Know You're 'The One'?
• Proficient in Microsoft Word and Dentrix dental software or similar EHR
• Ability to recognize and respect the value of individual differences and to work with a diverse population

Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with others in order to encourage and support communication and teamwork

Ability to build and maintain ongoing collaborative, working relationships with leadership, coworkers, and staff to achieve the goals of the agency and work unit

• Ability to accomplish tasks and processes accurately and completely
• Ability to convey information clearly and concisely to groups or individuals either verbally or in writing to ensure that they understand the information and the message
• Ability to listen and respond appropriately to others
• Ability to instruct and train employees, students, faculty and/or other clients by providing information, including appropriate procedures, practices and/or the operation of equipment
• Ability to assure understanding compliance of applicable policies and procedures by self and all dental staff
• Ability to maintain conditions that ensure a healthy and safe working environment

About This Position

• Location: Public Health Building Raleigh, NC 27610
• Employment Type: Regular

Work Schedule

M-Th: 7:30 a. m. to 5:15 p. m.; Fri: 7:30 a. m. to 12:00 p. m.

• Hiring Range: 28.84-38.93
• Market Range: 28.84 - 49.03
• Please include ALL prior work experience on your application and resume.
• Posting Closing Date: 7:00 pm on 10/26/2026
• What Makes Wake Great

Equal Opportunity Statement

• Background Check Statement
• Emergency Service Worker Statement

What Makes Wake Great

Consistently ranked high among the best places to live and work in America, Wake County is the proud home to NC State University, Research Triangle Park, and the two-time Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes, winners in 2006 and 2026.

In addition to being Wake County’s seat of government, Raleigh is also the center of state government, with the Capitol Building, legislature and many state government offices located in Raleigh. With an estimated population of just over 1.2 million residents, Wake County is North Carolina’s most populous county.

Entertainment, recreation, and art and culture abound with the North Carolina Museum of Art, JC Raulston Arboretum, and the Neuse River Trail all in the heart of Wake County. Wake County uses the Council/Manager form of government.

Currently, the seven members of the Board of Commissioners are elected by district on a partisan basis and serve four-year terms. Starting in fall 2026, the Wake County Board will have seven commissioners elected by voters in their districts and two at-large commissioners elected by the whole County.

The County is regarded as a fiscally responsible and well-managed government, enjoying a AAA bond rating. The County’s FY2027 General Fund budget is approximately $2.28 billion, and the County has more than 5,000 full time employees. Wake County Government came in at #2 on the Healthiest Employers list for 2024.

This year, US News & World Report ranked Raleigh #5 on its list of Best Places to Live, and the Milken Institute ranked Raleigh #1 on its 2025 list of Best-Performing Cities.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Wake County provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.

Background Check Statement

Position may require a background check that may include: criminal, credit, motor vehicle, education, and sexual offender registry or others based on job requirements. Unless required by state law, a record of conviction will not automatically exclude you from consideration for employment. Wake County Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Emergency Service Worker Statement

In the event of an emergency, as determined by the County Manager or designee, participation in preparedness and response operations should be expected. Employee may be required to fill a temporary assignment in a role different from standard duties, work hours and/or work location in preparation for, during and after the emergency. Employee may also be required to participate in relevant exercises and regular preparedness training.