Job Description

Req ID: 209740
Location: Western Zone, Our Health Centre
Department: PH Healthy Communities - Oral Health WZ
Type of Employment: Temporary Hourly FT long-assignment (100%) x 1
NSGEU Healthcare Position
Posting Closing Date: 19-Sep-25
Nova Scotia Health is the largest provider of health services in Nova Scotia, with some specialized services also offered to clients throughout Atlantic Canada. We're on a mission to achieve excellence in health, healing, and learning through working together, which is reflected in the hospitals, health centres, and community-based programs we operate across the province. Our passionate team of professionals provides a variety of high-quality inpatient and outpatient services including academic, tertiary, and quaternary care, as well as continuing care, primary health care, public health, and mental health and addictions. Join a diverse team of innovators, collaborators, and creative thinkers today.
Nova Scotia Health employs professionals in all corners of our beautiful province. We believe there's a place here for everyone to call home, from vibrant cities with exuberant nightlife to quaint towns with picturesque trails. The work-life balance that comes with a Nova Scotia Health role means you'll have the time to explore, discover, and participate in that coveted Atlantic lifestyle. Visit us today and check out to see why more people from across the globe are moving here.
About the Opportunity
Reporting to the Manager, Healthy Communities, the Public Health Dental Hygienist works collaboratively with partners across school, community, government, and health to improve oral health outcomes for children. As part of our work to advance Health Promoting Schools in Nova Scotia, this includes offering a fluoride varnish program to pre-primary and elementary-aged children in identified communities. The Public Health Dental Hygienist also works in collaboration with the Consultants (Public Policy & Social Action, Strategic Partnership & Engagement, and Health Equity) and the rest of the Healthy Communities Team to address local population health needs and to take action to improve population health and reduce health inequities. The Dental Hygienist is the lead on oral health initiatives and participates collaboratively in advocacy work as it relates to oral health. They use a health equity approach and work directly with key partners (e.g. school communities, childcare facilities, municipalities) to provide tangible oral health support to develop and implement oral health focused programs and policies.
The Dental Hygienist, using evidence-informed strategies, seeks and advocates for policy and system change, with emphasis on optimizing oral health through community engagement, coalition building, volunteer development, and partnership development. They continually assess community oral health through both formal and informal means (e.g. community health profiles, Provincial Public Health Fluoride program, gathers local intelligence, seeks out experiences and stories). They recognize the conditions that impact oral health, recommend strategies and interventions to address, and work collaboratively to achieve positive oral health outcomes.
About You
We would love to hear from you if you have the following:

• Diploma in Dental Hygiene and Bachelor's degree; Bachelor's in Dental Hygiene preferred
• Must be licensed and a member in good standing with, a provincial regulatory body (e.g. the College of Dental Hygienist of Nova Scotia) and must hold RDH (Registered Dental Hygienist) or DH (Dental Hygienist) designation; must maintain licensure throughout course of employment
• Experience in planning, development, implementation, and evaluation oral health-related programs, policies, services and initiatives
• Demonstrated proficiencies in the Core competencies for Public Health & LEADS
• Demonstrated success in building strategic partnerships, networks, coalitions, and collaborative working relationships with a variety of internal and external partners to support healthy communities (particularly oral health) work
• Demonstrates an understanding of population based approach
• Demonstrated ability to plan and be self-directed, including the ability to set clear and realistic goals, activities, timelines, deliverables and accountability for own/team function in conjunction with team members.
• Able to conduct assessments and analysis
• Demonstrated knowledge of volunteer recruitment, training and retention methods
• First Aid/CPR Certification
• Competencies in other languages an asset, French preferred

Please ensure your resume is up to date and includes all relevant education, experience, training, and certifications.
Hours

• Long Assignment, Full-Time position; 75 hours biweekly
• Beginning October 6, 2025 for approximately 9 months
• Dates are approximate and are subject to change

Compensation and Benefits
$32.55 - $38.94 Hourly
Successful candidates may be eligible for our benefits package which includes health, dental, travel, long-term disability, and life insurance coverage as well as a defined benefit pension plan.
Once You've Applied
Thank you for your interest in this position. Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.
?This is a Healthcare bargaining unit position. Preference is given to bargaining unit employees for unionized positions. Employees are encouraged to view their seniority hours and dates in their SuccessFactors online profile. Successful applicants changing unions, bargaining units, or employment status, are advised to seek clarification regarding their seniority, benefits, and vacation entitlement and/or usage, prior to accepting the position.
?Nova Scotia Health is committed to being a workforce that is free of discrimination, values diversity, and is representative, at all job levels, of the people we serve. We encourage all qualified applicants who self-identify as Indigenous, Black/African Nova Scotian, Persons of Colour, Foreign Nationals/Newcomers, Persons with Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ to apply and self-identify.

Skills Required