State of North Carolina - North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services

Description of Work

As of January 1, 2025, the new salary range will be $58,898 - $88,348.

This position carries out dental public health education and preventive services in the assigned counties within Region V which currently includes the following counties-- Durham, Rockingham, Caswell, Person, Guilford, Randolph, Chatham, Alamance, and Orange. 

The dental hygienist performs the following duties under the supervision of a licensed dentist: assess oral health status and make referrals, apply dental sealants and topical fluorides, collect and maintain oral health data & preventive services records, present dental public health training programs and recommend evidenced-based activities to oral health stakeholders for the prevention of dental disease. This public health dental hygienist functions in a role as an oral health consultant/analyst in an assigned region of the state.

About the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS):

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services manages the delivery of health and human-related services for all North Carolinians, especially our most vulnerable people – children, elderly, disabled and low-income families. The Department works closely with health care professionals, community leaders, advocacy groups, local, state and federal entities and many other stakeholders to make this happen. 

About the Division of Public Health and the Oral Health Section:

The Oral Health Section (OHS) provides dental public health prevention and education services for the people of North Carolina. Through dental assessments and sealant projects, Into the Mouths of Babes fluoride varnish services, community water fluoridation, educational services to schools, residential facilities, health departments, caregivers, and health providers, and our consultation services, we improve the oral health of children and adults. Our motto is Oral Health for Everybody.

Compensation and Benefits:

The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees. Visit website for benefits.

For more information about DHHS: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies

Listed below are the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) associated with the position. These KSAs, along with the minimum education and experience listed, are required in order to be deemed "eligible" for the position therefore you must provide supporting information, within the body of your application, to demonstrate your possession of each KSA listed. Any information listed under the text resume section or on an attachment will not be considered for qualifying credit. 

Qualified applicants must document on the application that they possess all of the following:

• Must have thorough and up-to-date knowledge of the practice of dental hygiene and preventive dentistry.
• Must have five years or 4000 hours of experience in clinical dental hygiene.
• Must be able to drive a car and have a NC Driver’s license
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Management Preferences:

• Strong calendar management, Outlook skills, Excel, Word
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions, and to interpret and maintain records and reports.
• Ability to secure the cooperation of target facilities to elicit program support.
• Ability to deal tactfully with the public/stakeholders and to exercise good judgment in appraising situations and making decisions that impact regional dental public health.
• Ability to work with other professional and support personnel in the performance of oral health services typical of the dental hygienist and assisting with other duties which may be of lesser complexity.
• Experience in public speaking, training stakeholder groups, and dental public health consultation.

Physical Requirements:

Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or

constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasional, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See https://oshr.nc.gov/experience-guide for details.

Qualified applicants must possess, and application must clearly reflect work experience that demonstrates the following:

Licensed to practice as a dental hygienist in North Carolina.

Supplemental and Contact Information

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer who embraces an Employment First philosophy which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws and Executive Orders. We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job. For more information about DHHS: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/.

DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position. 

It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive information. Information should be provided in the appropriate areas to include the beginning and ending dates of jobs worked, education with the date graduated, all work experience, and certificates / licenses. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application. Answers to Supplemental Questions must refer to education or work experience listed on this application to receive credit. Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

• Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.
• Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach a NGB 23A (RPAS) if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. If a former member of the NC National Guard, who served for at least 6 years and was discharged under honorable conditions, they must attach either a DD256 or NGB 22.
• If applicants earned college credit hours but did not complete a degree program, they must attach an unofficial transcript to each application to receive credit for this education.
• Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered "Positions of Trust" will be subject to a criminal background check.

Applications for positions requiring specific coursework must be accompanied by a copy of the applicant's transcript. Applicants with degrees not conferred at a United States college or university must attach verification that their degree is equivalent to a similar degree from a U.S. institution. The Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent. For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at https://www.naces.org/members. Transcripts, degree evaluations and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.

NOTE: Applicants will receive communication via email only for updates on the status of their application or any questions on their application. If there are any questions about this posting other than your application status, please contact HR at 919-855-4930.

To check the status of an application, please log in to your NC Government Job Opportunities account and click "Application Status". 

For technical issues with your application, please call the NeoGov Help Line at 877-204-4442. If you have a technical issue with your Government Jobs account, please call their Help Line at 1-855-524-5627.

NOTE: For temporary, contract or other supplemental staffing appointments: There are no paid leave, retirement or other benefits associated with these appointment types.

For permanent and time-limited appointments:

Eligible employees have benefits that include employee health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, NC Flex (a variety of high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis), and paid vacation, sick, and community service leave, to name a few. Paid parental leave is available for eligible employees. Some benefits require 30 + hours work/week for participation.