Dental Hygiene Program Director​/Faculty

Position Information

Position Title:

Dental Hygiene Program Director

FLSA:
Exempt

Contract Length: 12 months

Class

Summary:

The Dental Hygiene Program Director provides overall leadership, strategic direction, and administrative oversight for the CODA-accredited Dental Hygiene Program, including the on-campus dental clinic. The Director ensures compliance with CODA Accreditation Standards, institutional policies, state dental practice acts, and all relevant regulatory bodies. Responsibilities include curriculum development, faculty supervision, program assessment, student success initiatives, clinical operations management, budget oversight, and community partnerships.

Position Type:
Faculty

Employment Status:
Full Time

Position Funding:
Regular

• Dental hygienist with a minimum of a master’s degree (in any field) or dentist licensed/eligible for licensure in the state.
• At least three (3) years of full-time clinical experience in dental hygiene or dental practice.
• At least three (3) years of teaching experience or formal training in educational theory and methodology (e.g., curriculum development, evaluation, instructional design).
• Knowledge of CODA standards and accreditation processes.
• CPR / BLS certification.
• Must meet all institutional and state requirements for supervising students in a dental clinic.

• Previous experience as a program director, coordinator, or administrative leader in a dental or allied health program.
• Experience managing an academic dental clinic.
• Experience with CODA site visits or accreditation leadership.
• Strong communication, leadership, and problem‑solving skills.
• Experience with electronic health records (EHR) and clinic management software.
• Comprehensive understanding of dental hygiene theory, practice standards, and evidence-based care.
• Proficiency in infection control, sterilization, radiography, OSHA / CDC compliance, and patient safety protocols.
• Ability to provide clinical instruction, evaluate student performance, and ensure calibration among faculty.
• Working knowledge of CODA Dental Hygiene Accreditation Standards and compliance requirements.
• Ability to participate in or lead accreditation activities, including self-studies, reporting, and ongoing program assessment.
• Understanding of curriculum design, assessment of learning outcomes, instructional methodologies, and course evaluation in higher education.
• Ability to support student learning, remediation, and progression through an accredited program.
• Knowledge of state dental practice acts, HIPAA, FERPA, OSHA, CDC guidelines, and other regulatory standards affecting dental education and clinical practice.
• Ability to plan and manage academic schedules, clinical operations, and program resources.
• Skill in organizing program documentation, meeting accreditation requirements, and maintaining program effectiveness measures.
• Competence in leading faculty teams, facilitating meetings, and managing clinic and academic workflows.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for interactions with students, faculty, staff, patients, and external partners.
• Ability to maintain professional relationships and foster a collaborative, inclusive environment.
• Proficiency with electronic health record (EHR) systems and dental clinic software (e.g., axiUm, Dentrix, Eaglesoft).
• Ability to use learning management systems (e.g., Canvas, Blackboard, D2L) and productivity tools (Word, Excel, etc.).

• Experience leading or coordinating a CODA-accredited dental hygiene or dental assisting program.
• Prior participation in CODA site visits as a program representative or site reviewer.
• Experience managing an on-campus dental clinic or extramural clinical sites, including scheduling, patient flow, supply management, quality assurance, and faculty calibration.
• Familiarity with clinic productivity reports, patient satisfaction metrics, and quality improvement processes.
• Training in instructional design, higher education leadership, or faculty development.
• Experience implementing innovative teaching strategies such as simulation, digital dentistry tools, and competency-based education.
• Experience…