Registered Dental Hygienist - Flexible Schedule
$45.00 - $52.00 hourly
- Local Start Dental
- Durham, NC, United States
- Jan 30, 2026
Job Description
*Overview*
At Local Start Dental, our mission is simple: restoring smiles and confidence for our underserved neighbors while advancing the clinical skills of dental professionals. As a nonprofit organization, we combine compassion with innovation to deliver exceptional care to those who need it most, while offering hands-on training for the next generation of dental specialists.
Located in Durham, NC, we serve patients from across the state—especially those who face significant barriers to care—while also functioning as a training center for dental students, residents, and other professionals seeking advanced clinical experience.
Our practice is looking for an energetic and compassionate hygienist to join our staff. We see patients with complex medical histories and stories. Our goal is to provide the best care for all our patients. We pride ourselves on providing life-changing dentistry for our community. Here, you will feel respected and valued as a vital part of the team. You have the support of the staff and the dentists to do what is best for your patients.
*Responsibilities*
The primary role of the Hygienist is to ensure the best possible dental care and experience for every patient. We are seeking a patient-centered, skilled, and compassionate Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) to join our dedicated team. This individual will play a key role in the clinical care and educational mission of Local Start Dental. The hygienist will deliver high-quality preventive care, support complex treatment planning, and help prepare emerging dental professionals through mentorship and collaborative practice.
1. Driving year-over-year self-sustainment through optimal clinical workflows and clinical excellence.
2. Will comply with local, state, and federal laws, rules and regulations, and clinical best practices.
3. Responsible for compliance with all applicable federal, state, local and center rules, regulations, protocols and procedures governing the practice of dentistry and clinical provision of dental care those relating to, but not limited to, personnel issues, workplace safety, public health, and confidentiality.
4. Perform dental hygiene procedures including prophylaxis, gross scaling, periodontal maintenance, scaling and root planning, application of fluoride, and digital radiographs.
5. Attends and participates in staff development such as staff meetings, training, and daily team huddles.
6. Examine patients’ medical records.
7. Educate patients on proper oral hygiene techniques and the importance of routine dental care.
8. Prepare patients for treatment (e.g., by administering local anesthesia)
9. Check teeth, gums and other parts of the mouth, along with X-rays and tests, to diagnose dental problems.
10. Maintain accurate and timely documentation using our electronic health records (EHR) system as well as our AI note taking system.
11. Assist with patient intake, triage, and post-treatment instructions in a trauma-informed and culturally responsive manner.
12. Collaborate closely with dentists, dental assistants, and administrative staff to provide seamless and coordinated care.
13. Follow-up with patients to ensure each patient gets the treatment they need and has an optimal patient experience.
14. Support the education experience of dental students and residents, when appropriate, through clinical demonstration, guidance, and mentorship.
15. Uphold infection control and sterilization standards in compliance with OSHA, CDC and North Carolina Dental Board regulations.
16. Participate in quality improvement efforts, community outreach, and other mission-aligned initiatives.
17. Provide effective, direct, and in-the-moment feedback to staff and leadership to identify and implement opportunities for improvement.
18. Keep commitments and keep director supervisor(s) informed of work progress timetables and issues.
19. Maintains an appropriate professional appearance and demeanor in accordance with company policies.
20. Addresses others professionally and respectfully.
21. Maintain a clean, sterile environment in accordance with the American Dental Association guidelines.
22. Participates in or leads daily morning huddles, monthly team meetings and any other meetings as required.
23. Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
*Required*
* Current North Carolina Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) license in good standing
* Commitment to health equity, patient dignity, and professional development
* Current CPR/BLS certification
* Minimum 1 year of experience preferred; new graduates with strong clinical skills and mission alignment are welcome to apply
* Experience working with underserved populations or in nonprofit settings is highly valued
* Strong communication, interpersonal, and team collaboration skills
*Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: *
· Passion for working with the underserved community in a non-profit clinic environment.
· Growth, development, and communication appropriate to the patient being treated.
· Best practices related to oral hygiene and healthcare.
· Experience diagnosing dental problems and documenting examinations and courses of treatment.
· Hygiene procedures and the documentation needed to support this.
· Proficient in adhering to OSHA/HIPPA protocols as well as infection control best practices.
· Safety and practice standards governing the practice of dentistry, and more specifically Hygiene procedures.
· Ability to draw valid conclusions, apply sound judgment in making decisions, and make decisions under pressure.
· Ability to interact with other Hygienists and all Dentists and other team members in a respectful and professional way.
· Ability to interpret and apply policies and procedures.
· Ability to communicate effectively and present information, both verbally and in writing, to patients and co-workers.
· Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, verbal, or diagram form.
· Ability to maneuver through basic computer software.
· Results Oriented (Energic self-starter; sets realistic goals; meets commitments; persistent, prioritize daily to achieve results).
· Customer Service Advocate (flexible and adaptive; empathetic; passionate; ethical).
· Influencer (Active listener/observer of behavior; creates a win/win need for change).
· A self-motivated, reliable individual capable of working independently as well as part of a team.
· Ability to multi-task effectively without compromising the quality of the work.
· Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
· Ability to handle and maintain extreme confidentiality of patient records.
· Organized, detail-oriented individual able to work in a fast-paced environment.
Join our team as a Dental Hygienist, where your skills will contribute significantly to enhancing the oral health of our community while working alongside passionate professionals dedicated to patient care excellence.
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: $45.00 - $52.00 per hour
Benefits:
* 401(k)
* 401(k) matching
* Flexible schedule
License/Certification:
* RDH & CPR Certification (Required)
Ability to Commute:
* Durham, NC 27701 (Required)
Work Location: In person
At Local Start Dental, our mission is simple: restoring smiles and confidence for our underserved neighbors while advancing the clinical skills of dental professionals. As a nonprofit organization, we combine compassion with innovation to deliver exceptional care to those who need it most, while offering hands-on training for the next generation of dental specialists.
Located in Durham, NC, we serve patients from across the state—especially those who face significant barriers to care—while also functioning as a training center for dental students, residents, and other professionals seeking advanced clinical experience.
Our practice is looking for an energetic and compassionate hygienist to join our staff. We see patients with complex medical histories and stories. Our goal is to provide the best care for all our patients. We pride ourselves on providing life-changing dentistry for our community. Here, you will feel respected and valued as a vital part of the team. You have the support of the staff and the dentists to do what is best for your patients.
*Responsibilities*
The primary role of the Hygienist is to ensure the best possible dental care and experience for every patient. We are seeking a patient-centered, skilled, and compassionate Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) to join our dedicated team. This individual will play a key role in the clinical care and educational mission of Local Start Dental. The hygienist will deliver high-quality preventive care, support complex treatment planning, and help prepare emerging dental professionals through mentorship and collaborative practice.
1. Driving year-over-year self-sustainment through optimal clinical workflows and clinical excellence.
2. Will comply with local, state, and federal laws, rules and regulations, and clinical best practices.
3. Responsible for compliance with all applicable federal, state, local and center rules, regulations, protocols and procedures governing the practice of dentistry and clinical provision of dental care those relating to, but not limited to, personnel issues, workplace safety, public health, and confidentiality.
4. Perform dental hygiene procedures including prophylaxis, gross scaling, periodontal maintenance, scaling and root planning, application of fluoride, and digital radiographs.
5. Attends and participates in staff development such as staff meetings, training, and daily team huddles.
6. Examine patients’ medical records.
7. Educate patients on proper oral hygiene techniques and the importance of routine dental care.
8. Prepare patients for treatment (e.g., by administering local anesthesia)
9. Check teeth, gums and other parts of the mouth, along with X-rays and tests, to diagnose dental problems.
10. Maintain accurate and timely documentation using our electronic health records (EHR) system as well as our AI note taking system.
11. Assist with patient intake, triage, and post-treatment instructions in a trauma-informed and culturally responsive manner.
12. Collaborate closely with dentists, dental assistants, and administrative staff to provide seamless and coordinated care.
13. Follow-up with patients to ensure each patient gets the treatment they need and has an optimal patient experience.
14. Support the education experience of dental students and residents, when appropriate, through clinical demonstration, guidance, and mentorship.
15. Uphold infection control and sterilization standards in compliance with OSHA, CDC and North Carolina Dental Board regulations.
16. Participate in quality improvement efforts, community outreach, and other mission-aligned initiatives.
17. Provide effective, direct, and in-the-moment feedback to staff and leadership to identify and implement opportunities for improvement.
18. Keep commitments and keep director supervisor(s) informed of work progress timetables and issues.
19. Maintains an appropriate professional appearance and demeanor in accordance with company policies.
20. Addresses others professionally and respectfully.
21. Maintain a clean, sterile environment in accordance with the American Dental Association guidelines.
22. Participates in or leads daily morning huddles, monthly team meetings and any other meetings as required.
23. Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
*Required*
* Current North Carolina Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) license in good standing
* Commitment to health equity, patient dignity, and professional development
* Current CPR/BLS certification
* Minimum 1 year of experience preferred; new graduates with strong clinical skills and mission alignment are welcome to apply
* Experience working with underserved populations or in nonprofit settings is highly valued
* Strong communication, interpersonal, and team collaboration skills
*Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: *
· Passion for working with the underserved community in a non-profit clinic environment.
· Growth, development, and communication appropriate to the patient being treated.
· Best practices related to oral hygiene and healthcare.
· Experience diagnosing dental problems and documenting examinations and courses of treatment.
· Hygiene procedures and the documentation needed to support this.
· Proficient in adhering to OSHA/HIPPA protocols as well as infection control best practices.
· Safety and practice standards governing the practice of dentistry, and more specifically Hygiene procedures.
· Ability to draw valid conclusions, apply sound judgment in making decisions, and make decisions under pressure.
· Ability to interact with other Hygienists and all Dentists and other team members in a respectful and professional way.
· Ability to interpret and apply policies and procedures.
· Ability to communicate effectively and present information, both verbally and in writing, to patients and co-workers.
· Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, verbal, or diagram form.
· Ability to maneuver through basic computer software.
· Results Oriented (Energic self-starter; sets realistic goals; meets commitments; persistent, prioritize daily to achieve results).
· Customer Service Advocate (flexible and adaptive; empathetic; passionate; ethical).
· Influencer (Active listener/observer of behavior; creates a win/win need for change).
· A self-motivated, reliable individual capable of working independently as well as part of a team.
· Ability to multi-task effectively without compromising the quality of the work.
· Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
· Ability to handle and maintain extreme confidentiality of patient records.
· Organized, detail-oriented individual able to work in a fast-paced environment.
Join our team as a Dental Hygienist, where your skills will contribute significantly to enhancing the oral health of our community while working alongside passionate professionals dedicated to patient care excellence.
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: $45.00 - $52.00 per hour
Benefits:
* 401(k)
* 401(k) matching
* Flexible schedule
License/Certification:
* RDH & CPR Certification (Required)
Ability to Commute:
* Durham, NC 27701 (Required)
Work Location: In person