Dental Hygienist - Tufts Special Care Dental Clinics
Listed compensation
$49.3-$68.1/hr
The week · per this posting · Tuesday – Thursday
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, nights and shift pattern and time off.
Job Description
This is a part-time position working 21 hours per week, Tuesday-Thursday 8AM - 4PM. This position is located in Danvers, MA.
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). This position is based at our clinic in Danvers.
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.
All other duties as required.
Travel to other clinics is required.
What We're Looking For
Basic Requirements
Knowledge and Experience Typically Acquired By
- Associate's Degree in Dental Hygiene.
- 1-3 years Clinical dental hygiene experience.
- Intermediate proficiency in dental practice management software and Microsoft Office applications.
- Massachusetts Dental Hygiene License.
- Travel to other Tufts Special Care Dental Clinics is required.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree.
- Experience in treating patients with developmental, behavioral, or medical complexities.
Pay Range
Minimum $49.30, Midpoint $58.70, Maximum $68.10
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 infection control protocols.
Requirements
Candidates must hold an Associate's Degree in Dental Hygiene and a Massachusetts Dental Hygiene License. Additionally, 1-3 years of clinical dental hygiene experience and proficiency in dental practice management software are required.
Qualifications
- Education
- Associate degree
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Key Skills
Dental Hygiene Career Context
The cost-of-living index for Massachusetts is 105.8 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$122k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $115k in an average-cost state. 63.2% of Massachusetts clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
Of the 43 active Dental Hygienist listings this role was benchmarked against, 5% are remote, 53% have no call, 49% require no weekends.
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Work-life score | 6.0 / 10 · above average in dental hygienist | ranked against 2,151 Dental Hygienist listingslisting-based score, 0–10 |
| Listed pay | $103k–$142k | Dental Hygienist median $116k (middle half $104k–$120k)26 comparable listings, Oct 2026 |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$115k in purchasing power | Massachusetts index 105.8 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Dental Hygienist listings in Massachusetts | 159 active | 5,805 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 5% remote · 53% no call · 49% no weekends43 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | not stated | Massachusetts healthcare professional listings: 23% state a sign-on bonus (median $5k) · 7% offer loan repayment159 active listings, Oct 2026 |
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Dental Hygienist - Tufts Special Care Dental Clinics at Tufts University a 6.0 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Dental Hygienist — ranked against 2,151 active Dental Hygienist listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no weekend requirements.
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Dental Hygienist - Tufts Special Care Dental Clinics
$49.3-$68.1/hrDental Hygienist
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