Hygienist

About the role

As a Hygienist at Tend, you'll deliver top-tier preventive care in a modern, thoughtfully designed studio - with the support of a dedicated dental assistant through our Team (Assisted) Hygiene model. You'll treat a well-booked schedule of patients with the tools, systems, and support you need to deliver clinical excellence and outstanding patient experiences. At Tend, we're committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive environment where both our patients and our teams feel respected, represented, and truly cared for.

Depending on your experience and interests, this role offers the opportunity to focus on delivering exceptional preventive care as a Hygienist, or to take on additional leadership responsibilities as a Lead Hygienist - setting the standard for hygiene excellence, mentoring your team, and driving both clinical and business results for your studio.

Our model is built for driven hygienists: those who value autonomy, crave efficiency, and take pride in high-performance care - and for hygienist leaders who want to inspire others and help build a culture of excellence across their team.

Compensation & Earning Potential

All Hygienists earn a base hourly rate plus a monthly bonus tied to adjusted production. You'll get transparency and support to help you thrive - no surprises, just opportunity. Top-earning Hygienists make $90/hour with bonus.

Full-Time Traveling roles are also available, working 32-40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, with no Saturdays required.

What You'll Do

Clinical Care & Patient Experience (All Hygienists)

• Deliver comprehensive preventive and periodontal care - including prophylaxis, periodontal maintenance, scaling and root planing (SRP), gingivitis scaling, oral cancer screenings, iTero scans, sealants, Zoom whitening, Perio Protect, Curodont, fluoride treatments, and patient education - all in alignment with evidence-based clinical guidelines
• Collaborate with a dedicated dental assistant to optimize your schedule, manage sterilization and room turnover, and support patient care and documentation
• Partner with dentists for hygiene exams to identify and recommend treatment plans based on patient needs
• Proactively drive hygiene production by maximizing chair time, recommending preventive care, and supporting same-day treatment opportunities
• Work within Tend's Team (Assisted) Hygiene model, partnering closely with dedicated dental assistants to deliver efficient, high-quality care and create a more supported, team-driven clinical environment
• Maintain strong relationships with patients through clear communication, trust-building, and personalized education
• Collaborate closely with the broader studio team - including doctors, assistants, and operations leaders - to ensure seamless patient care
• Engage in ongoing professional development through CE opportunities, internal hygiene forums, and peer collaboration

Hygiene Leadership & Studio Impact (Lead Hygienist Focus)

• Provide hands-on training for new hygienist hires and oversee the onboarding and development of hygienists and hygiene assistants to reinforce Tend's clinical standards, workflows, and patient care protocols
• Offer ongoing mentorship to hygienists and hygiene assistants, supporting their clinical growth, confidence, and professional development
• Provide regular, constructive feedback to support performance improvement and maintain consistent hygiene standards across the team
• Collaborate with dental assistants to optimize studio-wide hygiene flow, sterilization protocols, and room turnover efficiency
• Partner with dentists on exams and treatment planning, reinforcing comprehensive care and seamless handoffs for patients
• Proactively drive hygiene production across the team by identifying opportunities, supporting same-day treatment acceptance, and monitoring key performance metrics
• Lead regular hygiene team meetings and champion continuing education and development opportunities for the team
• Lead and drive Tend's Team (Assisted) Hygiene model studio-wide, ensuring hygienists and assistants work together to maximize efficiency and elevate patient care
• Partner closely with Studio Managers and doctors to ensure the hygiene department is meeting patient care, quality, and business objectives
• Champion new clinical and operational initiatives within the hygiene team, leading by example

Who You Are

You embody our Tend values and demonstrate key competencies that ensure both patient success and team excellence. At Tend, these aren't just words on a wall - they're how we hire, lead, and grow.

Tend Values

• Tend to Others - Deliver exceptional patient experiences and team collaboration
• Be Brave Enough to Lead - Take initiative to solve problems and improve clinical care
• Savor the Ride - Celebrate wins and stay positive in a fast-paced environment
• Embrace Our Differences - Communicate with respect and value diverse perspectives
• Rooted in Growth - Seek feedback, mentorship, and continuous learning

Role-Based Competencies

• Earns Trust - Earn patient and team confidence through honesty and follow-through. As a Lead Hygienist, this means building that trust at scale - modeling it for the team and inspiring the same standard in others.
• Works Together - Work fluidly across roles and functions to ensure excellent care. As a Lead Hygienist, this means uniting roles across the studio, coordinating hygienists, assistants, and doctors toward shared goals.
• Adapts with Ease - Adjust to changes and balance multiple priorities effectively. As a Lead Hygienist, this means guiding the team through change in real time and coaching others to adapt alongside you.

What You Have

• Degree from an accredited dental hygiene program
• Current, active hygiene license in the state you're applying for
• Current Anesthesia/Nitrous license in applicable state
• Current CPR/BLS certification
• Comfort with digital charting and x-rays, intraoral cameras, and technology-driven care
• Hygienist - Open to full-time (32-40 hours/week, including AM/PM and Saturday shifts), part-time (2-3 days/week, including AM/PM and Saturday shifts), or PRN (work when you want!). Full-Time Traveling roles also available, working 32-40 hours/week, Monday-Friday, no Saturdays required.
• Lead Hygienist - Full-time only (32-40 hours/week, including AM/PM and Saturday shifts). Proven experience in a lead role supporting other hygienists - training, mentoring, and coaching a team - plus additional years of clinical experience beyond the standard Hygienist requirement.
• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods while performing hygiene procedures - and, for Leads, while coaching team members
• Manual dexterity and fine motor skills to handle instruments, perform scaling and polishing, and operate clinical equipment
• Adequate vision (with or without correction) to read charts, assess oral conditions, interpret radiographs, and document findings
• Ability to bend, reach, and maintain ergonomic positioning for patient care throughout the day
• Occasional lifting or movement of equipment, instrument trays, and supplies up to 25 pounds
• Ability to communicate effectively and compassionately with patients, team members, and other healthcare professionals in person and via technology

What We Offer

We believe taking care of people starts with taking care of our own. Here's how we've got you covered at Tend:

• Assisted Hygiene - A dental assistant to support your patient flow and prep
• CE & Professional Development - Virtual and in-person learning opportunities, with added leadership training for Leads
• Malpractice Insurance - Full coverage provided
• Health Comes First - Medical, dental, and vision insurance - plus our own Dental Wellness Program
• Time to Recharge - Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and company holidays, because rest is productive
• Plan for the Future - 401(k) plan to help you grow your nest egg
• Support, When You Need It - Life & AD&D insurance, EAP, legal support, and more
• Smart Spending Options - FSAs, HSAs, and pre-tax transit

The base pay range listed reflects the hourly wage for this position and is determined by a variety of factors, including experience, skills, qualifications, and market conditions.

Base Pay Range $62 - $74 USD

• Hygienists at Tend are eligible for a monthly performance bonus based on clinical and operational key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Bonus pay is distributed monthly but reflected in the listed range as an hourly equivalent.
• Bonus amounts vary by provider, market, and schedule, and actual earnings may differ depending on individual productivity and studio performance.

Bonus Pay Range $1 - $20 USD

Agency and recruiter notice: Tend does not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate submissions from staffing agencies or third-party recruiters. Any candidate submitted to Tend without a signed search agreement in place will not be considered a referred candidate, and Tend will not pay a fee for any resulting hire. If you're interested in partnering with our Talent team, please reach out to before submitting candidates.

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