Part-time Faculty Pool: Dental Assisting

Position Overview

Part‑time instructional assignment in Dental Assisting under the direction of the Dean of Allied Health and Public Safety. The successful candidate will lead the development of a Dental Assisting Certificate program and assist in accreditation through CODA. Maximum teaching load is 10 units per semester, including evening and weekend hours.

• Design course outlines for didactic, clinical, and laboratory courses.
• Create and maintain classroom materials that support course goals.
• Assess industry needs and trends to develop targeted courses and training programs.
• Provide innovative and effective instruction in accordance with current pedagogy and established course outlines.
• Inform students about course requirements, evaluation procedures, and attendance policies; maintain regular contact with students.
• Maintain and submit required student attendance and scholastic records on the Learning Management System (e.g., grades and syllabi).
• Use the Learning Management System to deliver, prepare, and grade class assignments and examinations.
• Maintain instructional design skills and apply effective teaching methods.
• Post and maintain regular office hours in accordance with policy.
• Participate in the development and review of curriculum and teaching–learning materials.
• Participate in departmental, area, and campus professional activities and committees.
• Represent the college within the Merced community and professional circles.
• Participate in the college's learning outcomes assessment program, including course, program, and institutional assessments to improve student learning outcomes.

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and at least two years of professional experience, or Associate's degree and six years of professional experience (or equivalent).
• Active, current dental or dental hygiene license issued by the Dental Hygiene Board or Dental Board of California with no disciplinary actions.
• Training and competence in infection control consistent with California regulations; ability to teach and evaluate required infection control competencies.
• Current active California license as one of the following:
  Dentist (DDS/DMD), Registered Dental Assistant in Extended Functions (RDAEF), Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) with Board‑approved Coronal Polishing and Pit & Fissure Sealant certifications, or Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH, RDHEF, RDHAP).
• Minimum of two years of licensure in the applicable dental profession.
• Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, including CPR.
• Successful completion of the California Radiation Safety Examination or a Board‑approved Radiation Safety course, unless already satisfied through licensure.
• Completion of a Board‑approved two‑hour methodology course covering clinical evaluation criteria, course outline development, process evaluation, and product evaluation.
• Demonstrated experience performing, teaching, and evaluating dental radiographic technique and image quality, and operation, maintenance, and quality assurance of dental radiographic equipment.
• Experience teaching clinical dental assisting procedures and laboratory skills.
• Legal authorization under California law to perform all procedures assigned for instruction; may only teach procedures permitted by license.
• Ability to supervise in accordance with Dental Board instructor‑to‑student ratios:
  Radiation Safety 6:1 maximum, Pit & Fissure Sealant 14:1 lab and 6:1 clinical.

• Experience teaching in a CODA‑ or Board‑approved Dental Assisting Program.
• Experience as Course Director for Radiation Safety and/or Pit & Fissure Sealant courses.
• Experience preparing or maintaining Board approval applications and documentation.
• Knowledge of California Dental Practice Act, Dental Board regulations, and program compliance requirements.
• Experience supervising extramural clinical rotations and evaluating student competency.
• Ability to collaborate with faculty and community dental partners.

Sick leave: part‑time, hourly faculty earn sick leave credit at one hour for every twenty hours of paid service.

Merced Community College District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Salary: $65.60 – $84.79 hourly
Job type: Adjunct Faculty
Location: Merced College, CA
Closing: 6/30/2026 11:59 PM Pacific