ACCESS TO CARE - DENTAL HYGIENIST

Welcome to La Crosse County — Where Your Work Truly Matters

Every day, our unique teams contribute to our vision of a community that is vibrant, safe, and resilient. Whether you're supporting families, safeguarding natural resources, maintaining infrastructure, or delivering essential services, your work here creates real impact for the people who live, work, and visit our county.

What You’ll Gain by Joining Us

• A Future You Can Count On: Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), one of the most respected pension programs in the nation.
• Reliable, Affordable Coverage: Countywide insurance plans plus growing access to local, no-cost care options for everyday health needs.
• Time Off That Works For You: You’ll have two dedicated banks of vacation and sick time, giving you the freedom to plan real downtime when you need it—and the peace of mind to take care of yourself when you’re under the weather.
  • Start earning vacation and sick time your very first day
  • Bank up to 2× your annual vacation accrual
  • Build up to 150 sick days as a full time employee

A Place Where Everyone Belongs

We believe our workforce should reflect the community we serve. We’re committed to fostering a culture of respect, inclusion, and belonging—because diverse perspectives lead to better outcomes for everyone.

Our Oral Health Program makes people smile every day! This is a limited-hours position from September to May to help support a growing need in our community. La Crosse County is seeking a skilled Registered Dental Hygienist.

Overview

FLSA: Non-Exempt. This is a dental hygienist role in the Health Department with a primary role of organizing and executing broad oral health programming. Day-to-day activities may vary by program needs and funder priorities/requirements.

Essential Leadership Functions 

Act with Integrity and Build Trust 

• Demonstrate mutual respect, humility, and honesty in all interactions 

• Speak up appropriately, even when expressing unpopular viewpoints 

• Actively listen and remain open-minded to diverse perspectives 

Drive for Results 

• Set clear goals and objectives to motivate self and others to achieve outcomes 

• Seek new opportunities to improve processes and drive sustainable results 

• Hold self and others accountable through consistent evaluation and monitoring 

Develop Talent and Effective Teams 

• Foster a collaborative environment that encourages knowledge sharing and growth 

• Provide mentorship and support to help self and others reach full potential 

• Recognize and leverage diverse strengths within self and team 

Lead with Vision and Strategy 

• Understand and communicate a compelling vision that aligns with organizational goals 

• Develop and execute comprehensive strategies to achieve long-term objectives 

• Connect daily work to the bigger picture, inspiring self and others to contribute meaningfully 

Lead with Paradoxical, Critical, and Agile Thinking 

• Navigate complex situations by considering multiple perspectives 

• Adapt quickly to changes and uncertainties in the work environment 

• Make critical decisions using analytical skills, experience, and input from others 

Build and Maintain Effective Relationships 

• Communicate and collaborate effectively with stakeholders across the organization 

• Influence others through coaching, consulting, and team-minded thinking 

• Develop and sustain partnerships that create positive outcomes for all stakeholders 

Cultivate Community Engagement and Provide Excellent Service 

• Understand and address the needs and concerns of the community 

• Incorporate community perspectives into decision-making processes 

• Drive initiatives that create positive impacts beyond the organization 

Demonstrate Emotional Intelligence 

• Show self-awareness and manage emotions effectively in challenging situations 

• Seek and respond constructively to feedback, even in the face of setbacks 

• Balance empathy with accountability when leading self and working with others 

Essential Job Functions 

Organizes and executes oral health programming for residents of La Crosse County, including school-based and community-based programs with a specific emphasis on increasing access to preventive and restorative dental care.

Provides direct oral health services including but not limited to dental screenings, application of fluoride varnish, application of dental sealants, and dental cleanings.

Acts as a liaison with community partners working on oral health programs.

Seeks out and assists in applying for funding opportunities to support oral health programming.

Displays integrity and complies with HIPAA regulations in all aspects of work.

Keeps records of all provided services and creates reports as dictated by department needs and/or grant requirements.

Collects data, creates, reviews and edits program materials.

In this public service position, employee is required to be courteous, cooperative and respectful at all times, with the public and clients. Also establishes and maintains a courteous, cooperative and respectful working relationship with other employees, supervisors and public officials.

Physical demands: Sits, stands, bends, reaches, twists, turns, light to moderate lifting and use of hands for service provision.

Related Job Functions

May coordinate joint activities with co-workers at the health department, external partners, and others as deemed pertinent in consultation with the Access to Care Manager.

This job description is not intended to encompass every job duty or responsibility but is only illustrative. This position is required to perform other duties as may be assigned or required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

These minimum requirements may vary based on function being assigned:

Working knowledge of, and ability to utilize, oral-health specific dental equipment in order to provide oral health services. This equipment includes but is not limited to portable dental chairs, portable dental delivery system units, hygiene handpieces, curing lights, portable x-ray units, dental x-ray sensors, and sterilization units.

Knowledge of oral health documentation and familiarity with dental software programs similar to DentaSeal.

Knowledge of oral health products such as fluoride varnish, sealants and tools needed to apply them.

Working knowledge of software such as Microsoft Excel, Teams, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and SharePoint.

Ability to drive safely and find urban and rural sites using maps or GPS devices.

Must possess excellent verbal and written communications skills.

Must be able to follow directions.

Training, Experience and Other Requirements 

These minimum requirements may vary based on function being assigned:

 Associate degree or higher in Dental Hygiene.

Licensure with the State of Wisconsin, or ability to become licensed within the state of Wisconsin, as a Dental Hygienist.

At least 2 years of experience as a dental hygienist preferred.

Experience using oral health products, including fluoride varnish and dental sealants, with pediatric populations, along with the tools necessary to provide these services.

Must pass Caregiver background check.

Ability to work remotely under a variety of conditions.

Must have a valid driver’s license, car insurance and reliable transportation.

Equal Opportunity Employer
We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a workforce that reflects the community we serve.

Need an Accommodation?
If you require a disability-related accommodation at any stage of the hiring process, reach out to Human Resources at [email protected] — we're here to help.

Ready to Apply?
Submit your application through our online career site. Please double-check your materials before submitting them; complete applications help us move quickly and give every candidate fair consideration.