Dental Hygiene Program Director

$105000 - $120000 per year | San Jose, CA | On-site | Permanent

We are looking for a leader to guide our Dental Hygiene program and the faculty and students who make it successful.

We are a well-established, student-focused college in the San Francisco Bay Area, dedicated to preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals through hands-on, career-focused education. Our programs are built around academic integrity, strong clinical partnerships, and measurable student outcomes. We are looking for a leader to guide our Dental Hygiene program and the faculty and students who make it successful.

• Lead an entire program, with ownership of curriculum, faculty, outcomes, and accreditation
• Competitive pay of $105,000 - $120,000, plus a sign-on bonus
• A mix of leadership and teaching, so you stay connected to students and the clinic
• Build and strengthen clinical and externship partnerships in one of the nation's strongest healthcare markets
• Lead and mentor a team of up to 15 faculty members
• Work in a collaborative environment that values integrity, professionalism, and student success

Summary:

The Program Director oversees the academic integrity and operational success of the Dental Hygiene program, including curriculum, faculty management, student outcomes, accreditation compliance, and overall performance. This role plays a key part in student retention and success, ensures faculty are qualified and well supported, and may include teaching courses. It also involves managing resources, developing external partnerships for clinical rotations, and driving continuous improvement from assessment data.

• Ensure faculty qualifications, licensure, and work experience meet program and accreditation standards
• Assist with faculty recruitment, selection, onboarding, and professional development
• Develop academic schedules, conduct faculty evaluations, and perform classroom observations
• Train, supervise, mentor, and evaluate faculty to ensure quality instruction
• Manage program compliance with college policies, accreditation standards, and industry regulations
• Develop and implement student retention strategies; monitor student progress, including students on leave and in clinicals or externships
• Oversee externship and clinical site placements to ensure they meet program requirements
• Maintain program equipment, supplies, textbooks, and materials
• Monitor course and program outcomes, retention, graduation rates, and licensure exam pass rates; build improvement plans as needed
• Organize advisory committee meetings, faculty meetings, and curriculum review sessions
• Prepare and submit accreditation documentation accurately and on time
• Participate in college governance committees and professional development

• Participate in student recruitment and selection
• Teach assigned courses and assess student learning outcomes
• Provide feedback and additional support to students, including tutoring and communication on attendance or academic concerns
• Maintain student records and evaluations per institutional and accreditation requirements

Directly supervises 1-15 faculty members.

• Master's degree
• Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) or State Dentist license
• BLS for Healthcare Provider (AHA or ARC)
• Infection Control certification (2 units) and CA Dental Practice Act certification (2 units)
• 2 years of clinical practice experience
• Documentation of 2 years of experience teaching in pre- or post-licensure dental hygiene or dental programs (may be waived for an Interim Program Director)
• Documentation of a minimum of 2,000 hours in direct patient care as an RDH, or working with an RDH
• Prior experience in higher education or academic program management preferred

• Strong written and verbal communication
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Strong organizational and time-management skills