Oral Health Program Coordinator

Rural Oral Health Program Coordinator

Location: Frankfort, KY (Hybrid)

Pay Rate: $35–$45 per hour

Job Type: Full-Time | Long-Term Contract

Contract Duration: Rolling contract with potential extensions up to 5 years

Schedule: Monday–Friday | 8:00 AM–4:30 PM EST

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Start Date: ASAP

Job Overview

We are seeking an experienced Licensed Dental Hygienist to join a statewide public health initiative as a Rural Oral Health Program Coordinator in Frankfort, Kentucky.

This position will support the Kentucky Department for Public Health's Harm Reduction Branch in coordinating an oral health stigma reduction pilot program across three rural Kentucky counties.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in dental hygiene, community health, patient education, and working with underserved populations. This role offers a unique opportunity to transition from traditional clinical dental hygiene into a public health leadership and program coordination position while making a meaningful impact on access to oral healthcare.

The coordinator will work closely with dental providers, local health departments, community organizations, and public health stakeholders to improve access to dental services, reduce stigma surrounding oral healthcare, and strengthen community engagement.

This is a hybrid position based in Frankfort, KY, with occasional travel required to participating rural communities.

Key Responsibilities

Program Coordination & Management

• Oversee day-to-day coordination of a rural oral health stigma reduction pilot program across three Kentucky counties.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, implementation plans, milestones, and deliverables.
• Coordinate activities between public health officials, dental providers, community organizations, and participating counties.
• Identify challenges impacting program implementation and assist in developing solutions.
• Ensure project activities align with established goals, timelines, and grant requirements.

Community Outreach & Partnership Development

• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with local health departments, dental professionals, and community partners.
• Engage rural and underserved populations to identify barriers to oral healthcare.
• Coordinate outreach initiatives designed to increase awareness and accessibility of oral health services.
• Support community engagement activities, educational programs, and stakeholder meetings.
• Promote patient-centered approaches to dental care that improve trust and reduce stigma.

Oral Health Education & Stigma Reduction

• Assist in developing and implementing educational resources and training materials for oral healthcare providers.
• Support initiatives focused on reducing negative perceptions and experiences associated with receiving dental care.
• Collaborate with dental professionals to encourage welcoming, accessible, and inclusive patient experiences.
• Apply clinical dental hygiene knowledge to support oral health education and prevention strategies.

Reporting, Data Collection & Grant Compliance

• Track program performance, established goals, and key project outcomes.
• Coordinate data collection, documentation, and quality assurance activities.
• Prepare and submit quarterly grant reports, weekly project updates, and other required documentation.
• Maintain accurate records of project activities, deliverables, and program performance.
• Identify opportunities for program improvements based on collected data and stakeholder feedback.

Required Qualifications

• Active Dental Hygienist License (RDH) in good standing.
• Minimum of 6 years of professional experience providing oral health services.
• Experience working with rural, underserved, vulnerable, or high-risk patient populations.
• Understanding of barriers that prevent individuals and communities from accessing dental healthcare.
• Ability to communicate effectively with healthcare providers, community organizations, and public health stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and responsibilities.
• Ability to work in a hybrid environment and travel occasionally to participating Kentucky counties.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience in public health, community health, or oral health outreach programs.
• Experience coordinating healthcare initiatives, community programs, or grant-funded projects.
• Background in patient education, preventive dental care, and community-based oral health services.
• Familiarity with stigma reduction, health equity, and patient-centered healthcare practices.
• Experience collaborating with local health departments, government agencies, or nonprofit organizations.
• Experience with project tracking, performance reporting, data collection, or grant documentation.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships across diverse communities.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Competitive Compensation: Earn $40–$50 per hour based on qualifications and experience.
• Long-Term Opportunity: Rolling contract with potential extensions spanning up to five years.
• Hybrid Work Environment: Combination of remote work and on-site responsibilities in Frankfort, Kentucky.
• Public Health Impact: Help improve oral healthcare access for underserved rural communities.
• Career Growth: Opportunity for experienced dental hygienists to expand into public health, community outreach, and program coordination.
• Collaborative Environment: Work alongside public health leaders, dental professionals, and community organizations.

Ideal Candidate

The strongest candidate will be an experienced Registered Dental Hygienist with at least six years of clinical experience who is passionate about improving access to oral healthcare.

Individuals with backgrounds in community dental clinics, public health departments, federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), mobile dental programs, school-based dental programs, or community outreach initiatives are strongly encouraged to apply.

Candidates who enjoy patient education, building community relationships, and coordinating healthcare initiatives may find this opportunity especially rewarding.

Apply today to learn more about this long-term Rural Oral Health Program Coordinator opportunity in Frankfort, Kentucky.

This position supports a program funded through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Rural Health Transformation initiative. Continued program funding is subject to applicable federal grant requirements and annual funding decisions.

Pay: $35.00 - $45.00 per hour

Expected hours: 37.5 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Benefits:

Salary : $35 - $45