Registered Dental Hygienist

As a Registered Dental Hygienist at Toothsavers, your primary responsibilities will include conducting oral health screenings, applying fluoride varnish, placing dental sealants, providing basic oral health instructions, and facilitating dental referrals for school children. You will be part of a mobile team, so you'll have the flexibility to work in various school settings while supporting children in receiving essential oral care.

To qualify as a Registered Dental Hygienist with Toothsavers, you will need at least one year of relevant experience, a Bachelor’s Degree in dental hygiene, and a valid WA state Registered Dental Hygienist license. Additionally, CPR certification is required to ensure the safety and well-being of the children you’ll be servicing.

The work schedule for a Registered Dental Hygienist at Toothsavers typically aligns with school hours, running from 8am to 2:30pm. This allows you to enjoy your evenings and weekends free, giving you a great work-life balance. Additionally, you'll have breaks during school holidays when Toothsavers is not operational.

Registered Dental Hygienists at Toothsavers earn up to $54 per hour, with additional bonus opportunities and compensation for travel. This competitive pay reflects our commitment to providing fair compensation for the important work that dental hygienists do in our community.

At Toothsavers, we provide our Registered Dental Hygienists with all the necessary mobile equipment to perform their duties effectively in school settings. You'll also have the support of an administrative assistant, allowing you to focus on patient care while ensuring smooth operations during school visits.

When answering this question, reflect on the aspects you find most rewarding, such as helping children achieve better oral health, the variety of your work environment, or building relationships with patients. For instance, you might say, 'I love making a difference in children's lives by educating them about oral hygiene and providing preventive care in a relaxed setting.'

Answering this question involves sharing a specific example of how you managed a challenging situation. Explain the circumstances, your approach to calm the patient, and the outcome. You might say, 'I once dealt with a child who was anxious about their treatment; I reassured them, walked them through the process, and incorporated some fun distractions during the appointment.'

You can answer this question by mentioning specific resources you use, such as professional journals, webinars, or conferences. For example, 'I subscribe to several dental hygiene journals and attend annual workshops to learn about the latest technologies and best practices in dental care.'

Highlight your engaging teaching methods, such as visual aids or interactive activities. You could say, 'I like to use fun videos and games that illustrate the importance of brushing and flossing, making the learning experience enjoyable for the children.'

Describe your strategies for managing uncooperative behavior calmly and compassionately. You might say, 'I would first take a moment to understand the child's concerns, validate their feelings, and use a calm tone to reassure them while explaining the importance of the treatment.'

Discuss your core values regarding patient care, such as empathy, communication, and education. For instance, 'I believe effective communication and building trust are essential in providing quality care, especially for young patients who may feel anxious during their appointments.'

Here, you should emphasize the importance of adhering to CDC guidelines and your routine procedures. You could say, 'I always ensure to use personal protective equipment, sterilize instruments properly, and maintain cleanliness in the work area to promote safety for both myself and my patients.'

Share any relevant experience, even if it’s volunteer work. You might say, 'I have previously volunteered at local schools promoting oral health education, which helped me develop strong communication skills and a comfort level working with children in an educational setting.'

Your answer should reflect your values aligning with Toothsavers' mission. For instance, 'I admire Toothsavers' commitment to making preventive dental care accessible for children and I want to be part of a team that shares my passion for improving oral health in community settings.'

Talk about your adaptability and ability to self-manage. You might say, 'I thrive in independent roles and have adapted to various settings by being organized and proactive in preparing for the unique needs of each school environment I visit.'