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 Qualifications 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. Preferred Education/Training/Experience 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.). Preferred Knowledge & Skills 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

developing and managing budgets for academic programs or clinical operations.

Skill

in grant writing or securing external funding, equipment procurement, and resource planning. Established relationships with dental professionals, community clinics, or advisory boards.

Experience

coordinating community outreach, service-learning activities, or public health initiatives. Ability to analyze student outcomes, clinic data, accreditation metrics, and program performance indicators.

Experience

leading continuous quality improvement (CQI) initiatives. Familiarity with digital radiography systems, paperless charting, and emerging dental technologies. Ability to train faculty and students on new software, equipment, or instructional technologies. Job Duties Provide overall leadership, direction, and administrative oversight for the Dental Hygiene Program.

Ensure all program operations adhere to institutional policies, state regulations, and CODA Accreditation Standards. Manage program schedules, staffing, faculty workloads, academic calendars, clinical rotations, and student assignments. Develop and maintain program policies, procedures, and handbooks for faculty, students, and clinic operations. Lead strategic planning and implement continuous quality improvement initiatives.

Maintain ongoing compliance with CODA Dental Hygiene Standards for curriculum, faculty qualifications, clinic operations, student competencies, and program assessment. Prepare and submit accreditation self-studies, annual reports, documentation, and site-visit materials. Collect, analyze, and report data required for CODA and institutional effectiveness measures. Ensure the program remains accreditation-ready at all times.

Lead the development, revision, and evaluation of didactic, lab, and clinical curriculum to reflect current evidence-based practice. Ensure course learning outcomes, competencies, and assessments align with CODA Standards and institutional expectations. Collaborate with faculty to implement instructional improvements, educational innovations, and student-centered teaching strategies. Participate in academic committees and curriculum governance processes.

Recruit, hire, supervise, evaluate, and mentor faculty and clinical staff. Ensure all faculty meet CODA-required qualifications. Plan and coordinate faculty development, calibration sessions, and training for teaching and clinical evaluation. Provide support and guidance for faculty performance, workload, and professional growth.

Oversee student recruitment, admissions, orientation, retention, and progression. Provide academic advising, guidance, and remediation support to students. Enforce program policies related to academic performance, professionalism, and clinic readiness. Coordinate processes for student competency evaluation and graduation eligibility.

Provide administrative and clinical oversight of the on-campus dental clinic to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality patient care. Ensure compliance with OSHA, CDC, HIPAA, state dental practice act regulations, and institutional safety policies. Oversee clinic scheduling, patient flow, faculty coverage, and clinical learning experiences. Ensure proper maintenance of equipment, sterilization systems, supplies, and facility operations.

Implement and monitor quality assurance, risk management, and infection control protocols. Ensure faculty calibration to maintain consistent evaluation of student clinical performance. Develop, monitor, and manage program and clinic budgets responsibly. Oversee procurement, inventory, and maintenance of instructional and clinical equipment, supplies, and technology.

Identify and pursue grants, donations, and external funding opportunities to support program growth. Build and maintain relationships with community partners, including dental professionals, public health agencies, advisory boards, and clinical rotation sites. Coordinate community outreach programs, service-learning opportunities, and public education events. Represent the program at professional conferences, college events, and community meetings.

Maintain accurate and confidential records for accreditation, student progress, patient care, and program operations. Prepare required reports for accreditation, institutional assessment, grants, and regulatory agencies. Communicate effectively with faculty, staff, students, leadership, and external stakeholders. Lead regular faculty meetings, clinic operations meetings, and advisory board meetings.

Model high standards of professionalism, integrity, and ethical behavior for faculty, staff, and students. Maintain required professional licensure, certifications, and continuing education. Promote a culture of respect, inclusivity, and excellence within the program and clinic. Licensing/Certification Requirements Current, active, and unrestricted license to practice as a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) or Dentist (DDS / DMD) in the state (or eligibility for licensure with ability to obtain license prior to start date).

Certification in Local Anesthesia and Nitrous Oxide Analgesia. Current CPR / BLS for Healthcare Providers certification (AHA or ARC). Must meet all state and institutional requirements for supervising students in a dental clinic, including any required faculty permits or dental hygiene educator certifications mandated by the state. Ability to maintain all required immunizations, TB testing, and other health-related clearances for clinical environments.

Physical Requirements Ability to move throughout classrooms, offices, labs, and clinical areas; stand and walk for extended periods; and bend, reach, or assist with clinical tasks as needed. Sufficient manual dexterity and hand‑eye coordination to demonstrate dental hygiene procedures and safely handle instruments and equipment. Adequate visual acuity to assess student performance, review patient care, read electronic records, and distinguish color differences. Adequate hearing and communication ability to interact with students, faculty, staff, patients and respond to equipment signals or emergencies.

Ability to lift up to 25 pounds and assist with positioning clinical equipment and instructional materials. Ability to work safely in a clinical environment with exposure to biohazardous materials, chemicals, aerosols, dental instruments, and equipment noise while following infection control protocols. Cognitive ability to focus on detailed tasks, manage multiple priorities, problem‑solve, and communicate effectively in fast-paced or stressful situations. Special Instructions Please NOTE: All applications must contain complete job histories, which include job title, dates of employment (month/year), name of employer, supervisor’s name and phone numbers and a description of duties performed.

If this information is not submitted, your application may be considered incomplete. Applications with “See attached” or “See resume” will not be accepted in lieu of a complete application. Omission of data can be the basis for disqualification; you may state “unknown” for any incomplete fields. A scanned copy of unofficial transcript(s) must be attached to the online application.

Supplemental Questions * Do you hold an Active, Unencumbered Dental Hygiene License from the Texas State Dental Board of Dental Examiners, or have the ability to obtain license? Yes No * Do you have a masters degree? Yes No Documents Needed to Apply Required Documents Cover Letter Resume Transcripts (1 of 3) Licensure/Certification Optional Documents Additional Transcripts (2 of 3) Additional Transcripts (3 of 3) Letter of Recommendation Additional Licensure/Certification College of the Mainland is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, disability or veteran status. College of the Mainland does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the recruitment and admission of students, the recruitment and employment of faculty and staff, and the operation of its programs and activities, as specified by federal laws and regulations within Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and 1992.

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