DENTAL HYGIENIST (Non-Competitive)
Dental Hygienist is non-competitive, meaning the state checks your education and experience against the spec instead of ranking you on a test.
Candidates need 3 years of relevant experience and a valid NJ driver's license. Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $60,207 to $87,764, and state payroll currently lists 5 people in the title, most of them at Human Services.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
See every real route in, and where to apply. 2 agencies employ it. We don't track live vacancies.
See all 2 employers and how to apply →Who employs this title
Dental Hygienist appears on the State payroll at 2 departments, most of them at Department of Human Services.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Human Services | 4 |
| Department of Health | 1 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 5 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $79,471. The agencies employing the most are:
- Human Services (4)
- Health and Senior Services (1)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under the direction of a dentist in the Department of Human Services, removes deposits and stains from supra and infra gingival portions of teeth, polishes teeth and applies anticariogenic materials on all clients, including those with special needs; performs dental hygiene functions; assists in the clinical and administrative functions of the dental program; does related work as required.
Examples of work
- Examines and scales supra and infra gingival tooth deposits, removes stains, polishes teeth.
- Applies anticariogenic materials.
- Monitors the physical status of clients through vital signs and takes appropriate action when indicated.
- Establishes appointments in coordination with hospital schedules.
- Greets clients and prepares them for examination.
- Exposes, processes, and mounts dental x-rays; prepares and maintains x-ray processing equipment and solutions.
- Charts all oral pathology and updates dental records.
- Presents dental treatment plans as developed by the dentist.
- Sets up instruments and equipment for procedures to be done by the dentist; assists the dentist with procedures and prepares materials for the dentist's use.
- Gives chair-side and waiting room dental care, gives post-operative instructions, dismisses clients, and works through postoperative dental care with patients and other personnel.
- Breaks down the instruments and equipment set-ups; sterilizes instruments and supplies.
- Performs dental laboratory procedures.
- Answers the telephone, takes and relays messages, and prepares routine correspondence; orders, receives, inventories, and stores supplies and equipment.
- Maintains and cleans dental equipment; keeps area neat and orderly.
- Teaches and assists other health specialists and direct-care personnel in the training and accomplishment of oral health where clients reside.
- Treats clients with special needs; monitors their medical/oral status; informs dentist of any/all medications used by client; monitors their general physical status, and takes emergency action as necessary.
- Provides nutritional information related to oral health.
- Explains oral health techniques.
- Applies the basic principles of oral pathology, bacteriology, dental anatomy, and nutrition.
- Applies topical anesthesia. Maintains oral hygiene devices and supplies.
- Maintains liaison with the dental treatment facility and staff as well as other personnel.
- Maintains records regarding oral hygiene.
- Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Experience
Three (3) years of experience as a dental hygienist.
License
Applicants must possess a valid license as a Dental Hygienist issued by the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry.
Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of dental hygiene methods and practices.
- Knowledge of the methods used to sterilize instruments and supplies.
- Knowledge of dental terminology.
- Knowledge of the methods used to take, process, and mount dental x-rays.
- Ability to monitor the vital signs of clients and recognize the need for emergent measures.
- Ability to clean and polish supra and infra gingival portions of teeth and to apply anticariogenic materials.
- Ability to provide assistance to a dentist working with patients.
- Ability to provide instructions to clients and others in a clear and understandable manner, and to teach and illustrate the habits essential of dental health.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients and staff.
- Ability to maintain and replenish dental office supplies and equipment.
- Ability to prepare and maintain essential reports and records.
- Ability to work with special needs clients.
- Ability to monitor the client's dental status and maintain appropriate records.
- Ability to provide nutritional information related to oral health to clients and staff.
- Ability to apply knowledge of oral pathology, bacteriology, dental anatomy, and nutrition.
- Ability to apply topical anesthesia.
- Ability to maintain oral hygiene devices and supplies.
- Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
- Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
- Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.