OPT Dental Hygienist Jobs
Dental Hygienist jobs that sponsor OPT are available but competitive. Most roles require a U.S. state dental hygiene license, which F-1 students must secure before or shortly after graduation. STEM OPT extension does not apply to this field, making the 12-month timeline critical for your job search.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Title: Dental Hygienist/UKHC
Requisition Number: RE54337
Department Name: MD100:DENTAL GROUP CLINICAL PRACTICE
Work Location: Lexington, KY
Grade Level: 11
Salary Range: $26.00-45.70/hour
Type of Position: Staff
Position Time Status: Full-Time
Required Education: AS
Required Related Experience: No experience required.
Required License/Registration/Certification: Basic Life Support (BLS) and Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) in state of Kentucky at time of hire
Physical Requirements: The physical requirements for this position include regularly sitting, standing, walking, with some pushing, pulling, and/or lifting objects weighing up to 10lbs and occasional pushing, pulling, and/or lifting objects up to 50lbs. Constant repetitive motion.
Shift: Monday – Friday, Day Shift
Job Summary: The person in this position will provide direct patient care, including performing prophylaxis, polishing, periodontal maintenance, scaling and root planning, patient assessment of hard and soft tissues and periodontal exams. Capture radiographic image. Apply fluoride foam and varnish and sealants as ordered by dentist. Provides home care assessment and oral health instructions. Provide clinical support through disinfection, set-up and breakdown of clinical operator, instrument sharpening and equipment maintenance. Prepares and transports instruments for sterilization. Update patient’s medical history and medications. Records vital signs at each visit. Documents treatment performed and enters procedures in the clinical patient management software. Schedule patients for return appointment.
This position is eligible for a Sign-on Bonus of $10,000, contingent on a 12-month employment commitment. Further details will be discussed during the hiring process.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities: Four handed dentistry knowledge, multi-tasking oriented, dependability, self-starter, organizational skills, attention to detail, communication skills, timeliness, ability to work with patients of all ages.
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No
Preferred Education/Experience: Previous experience as a dental hygienist preferred, with pediatric dental experience highly desirable.
Deadline to Apply: 05/14/2026
We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
Job Title: Dental Hygienist/UKHC
Requisition Number: RE54337
Department Name: MD100:DENTAL GROUP CLINICAL PRACTICE
Work Location: Lexington, KY
Grade Level: 11
Salary Range: $26.00-45.70/hour
Type of Position: Staff
Position Time Status: Full-Time
Required Education: AS
Required Related Experience: No experience required.
Required License/Registration/Certification: Basic Life Support (BLS) and Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) in state of Kentucky at time of hire
Physical Requirements: The physical requirements for this position include regularly sitting, standing, walking, with some pushing, pulling, and/or lifting objects weighing up to 10lbs and occasional pushing, pulling, and/or lifting objects up to 50lbs. Constant repetitive motion.
Shift: Monday – Friday, Day Shift
Job Summary: The person in this position will provide direct patient care, including performing prophylaxis, polishing, periodontal maintenance, scaling and root planning, patient assessment of hard and soft tissues and periodontal exams. Capture radiographic image. Apply fluoride foam and varnish and sealants as ordered by dentist. Provides home care assessment and oral health instructions. Provide clinical support through disinfection, set-up and breakdown of clinical operator, instrument sharpening and equipment maintenance. Prepares and transports instruments for sterilization. Update patient’s medical history and medications. Records vital signs at each visit. Documents treatment performed and enters procedures in the clinical patient management software. Schedule patients for return appointment.
This position is eligible for a Sign-on Bonus of $10,000, contingent on a 12-month employment commitment. Further details will be discussed during the hiring process.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities: Four handed dentistry knowledge, multi-tasking oriented, dependability, self-starter, organizational skills, attention to detail, communication skills, timeliness, ability to work with patients of all ages.
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No
Preferred Education/Experience: Previous experience as a dental hygienist preferred, with pediatric dental experience highly desirable.
Deadline to Apply: 05/14/2026
We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Dental Hygienist
Prioritize state licensure before your OPT starts
Most dental practices won't hire a hygienist who isn't licensed in the state where they'll work. Apply for your state board exam immediately after graduation so you're eligible to work from day one of your OPT period.
Target private group practices over solo offices
Multi-location dental groups and DSOs have HR infrastructure to handle OPT paperwork. Solo practitioners rarely navigate work authorization documentation. Focus your applications on larger group practices with dedicated hiring or operations staff.
Be transparent about your OPT timeline upfront
Mention your OPT authorization period and end date early in conversations with employers. Practices that want to retain good hygienists will start H-1B visa planning early. Surprises late in the process hurt both sides.
Understand that STEM extension doesn't apply to this role
Dental hygiene is not classified as a STEM field, so you won't qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Your standard OPT window is 12 months. Plan your H-1B sponsorship timeline and visa transition strategy accordingly.
Ask about H-1B sponsorship history during interviews
Not all dental employers have sponsored H-1B visas before, and some won't start. Ask directly whether the practice has sponsored international employees. A practice with prior H-1B experience is far more likely to successfully sponsor you.
Use Migrate Mate to filter for OPT-friendly employers
Searching broadly wastes time on employers who won't sponsor. Migrate Mate surfaces dental hygienist roles from employers with documented visa sponsorship history, narrowing your search to practices already open to international candidates.
Dental Hygienist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Dental Hygienist on OPT without a U.S. license?
No. Every U.S. state requires dental hygienists to hold a valid state license before practicing. Your OPT work authorization does not override this requirement. You must pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and your state's clinical exam before you can legally work in a patient-facing hygiene role.
Does a Dental Hygienist role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
No. Dental hygiene is classified under the health sciences, not under STEM fields eligible for the 24-month extension. Your OPT period is capped at 12 months. This makes it essential to begin H-1B sponsorship conversations with your employer well before your OPT expires, ideally within the first few months of starting work.
How do I find dental employers willing to sponsor OPT and H-1B?
Most solo dental practices have never navigated visa sponsorship and won't start. Dental service organizations and multi-location group practices are better targets. Migrate Mate lists dental hygienist roles from employers with verified sponsorship history, so you can focus your applications where they're most likely to lead to long-term authorization.
Can I work part-time as a Dental Hygienist on post-completion OPT?
Yes, but with restrictions. Post-completion OPT requires you to work at least 20 hours per week to remain in valid status. Many dental offices offer part-time hygienist schedules, which can satisfy this requirement. Confirm your weekly hours stay at or above the 20-hour threshold and that your employer is aware of OPT reporting obligations.
What happens to my OPT if I work at multiple dental offices?
Working at multiple practices simultaneously is permitted on OPT as long as your total hours across all employers meet the 20-hour minimum per week. Each employer should be aware of your OPT status. You must report multiple employers to your DSO so they can update your SEVIS record accurately and keep your status valid.