Dental Hygiene Program Director

What You’ll Do 

Lead the Dental Hygiene Program 

• Provide overall leadership for the Dental Hygiene program, ensuring academic excellence and operational success.  

• Develop, implement, and evaluate curriculum aligned with CODA standards and industry best practices.  

• Manage departmental budgets, faculty assignments, scheduling, and program resources.  

• Monitor program performance and implement continuous improvement initiatives.  

• Align the program with advancements in dental hygiene education and clinical practice. 

Ensure Accreditation & Regulatory Compliance 

• Maintain compliance with Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), state licensing boards, and institutional policies.  

• Lead accreditation preparation, self-studies, site visits, and regulatory reporting.  

• Implement assessment plans to support continuous quality improvement.  

• Maintain advisory committee relationships and required program documentation. 

Lead & Develop Faculty 

• Recruit, coach, mentor, and evaluate faculty members.  

• Foster a collaborative, engaged, and high-performing team culture.  

• Support faculty development and continuous learning.  

• Recognize and celebrate employee contributions and achievements. 

Support Student Success 

• Oversee admissions, advising, retention, progression, and graduation.  

• Promote an exceptional student experience through quality classroom and clinical instruction.  

• Monitor student progress and address academic concerns and grievances.  

• Support achievement of completion, licensure, certification, and employment outcomes. 

Build Clinical & Community Partnerships 

• Develop and maintain relationships with dental practices, clinics, healthcare organizations, and industry partners.  

• Oversee affiliated clinical education experiences and community service-learning opportunities.  

• Participate in the local dental community to strengthen the program's reputation and expand student opportunities.  

• Collaborate with advisory boards and external stakeholders. 

Additional Responsibilities 

• Perform other duties as assigned. 

• Master's degree or Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS/DMD) with an educational background.  

• Degree earned from a CODA-accredited Dental Hygiene or Dental School.  

• Minimum four (4) years of clinical experience.  

• Minimum four (4) years of practical work experience in the subject areas taught.  

• Minimum 2,000 hours of direct patient care as a Registered Dental Hygienist or working alongside Registered Dental Hygienists. 

Required Licensure 

• Current, unencumbered Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) license or Dentist license in the state where instruction occurs. 

 Knowledge, Skills & Abilities 

Successful candidates demonstrate the ability to: 

• Lead academic programs while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.  

• Maintain compliance with CODA accreditation standards and state regulatory requirements.  

• Develop and evaluate curriculum that supports student learning and licensure success.  

• Supervise, coach, and develop faculty while promoting professional growth.  

• Manage budgets, resources, and departmental operations effectively.  

• Build strong relationships with students, faculty, clinical partners, and community stakeholders.  

• Deliver engaging educational experiences that support diverse learning styles.  

• Evaluate student performance and provide timely, constructive feedback.  

• Communicate effectively through strong written, verbal, and interpersonal skills.  

• Stay current with emerging trends and best practices in dental hygiene education and patient care.