Dental Hygiene Instructor and Program Director

Southeast Technical College•Sd, SD

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Dental Hygiene Instructor and Program Director serves as the college’s lead resource for the development and implementation of the Dental Hygiene program. This position is responsible for coordinating accreditation activities, developing curriculum, facilitating approval processes, establishing clinical partnerships, and supporting program quality and student success. Working in collaboration with the Dean and other college stakeholders, the Instructor/Program Director will lead efforts to establish and maintain a program that meets CODA standards and industry expectations. This position is grant funded and is contingent upon the successful completion of required approvals and accreditation processes necessary to establish and operate the Dental Hygiene program.

Requirements

Hold a master’s degree or higher from a CODA accredited program with a background in instruction in educational theory and methodology, curriculum development, educational psychology, test construction, measurement, and/or evaluations.
Five years as a dental hygienist or dentist.
Experience in a CODA accredited dental hygiene program with administrative experience a plus.
Ability to use email systems, word processing, and spreadsheet software.
Ability to actively listen and to effectively communicate with others through written and oral communication.
Ability to make decisions, delegate tasks, be innovative, negotiate, problem solve, build teams through coaching and development, resolve conflicts, hold yourself and other accountable, and work under pressure.
Current, unencumbered Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) license or Dentist license in the state where instruction occurs.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a CODA accredited dental hygiene program with administrative experience a plus.

Responsibilities

Deliver high-quality, industry-aligned instruction that prepares students to meet program outcomes, workforce expectations, and licensure requirements.
Develop, update, and deliver curriculum and instructional materials including syllabi, labs, and hands-on activities that reflect current industry standards and support student skill development.
Use effective instructional strategies and technologies to promote student engagement and achievement.
Design, administer, and evaluate assessments to measure learning and technical competency, using results and student feedback to improve instruction and curriculum.
Ensure integration of professional standards in the classroom and laboratory fostering student achievement of learning outcomes for practice competencies.
Coordinate student clinical education, including site selection, placement, and scheduling.
Establish and maintain relationships with clinical affiliates, ensuring compliance with program expectations, site requirements, and accreditation standards.
Monitor student progress and provide academic advising, support, and remediation as needed.
Maintain accurate academic records, grading, and documentation in compliance with institutional and accreditation requirements.
Provide for program operation and supervision with budget input and program planning.
Develop and manage program goals, outcomes, policies, and procedures that ensure effectiveness and sustainability of the program.
Contribute to program success through student recruitment, advising, retention initiatives, and outreach activities.
Participate in program development, accreditation activities, advisory committees, and continuous improvement processes.
Serve on institutional committees, workgroups, or task forces as assigned.
Collaborate with colleagues across departments to support interdisciplinary learning, student success initiatives, and institutional priorities.
Build and maintain partnerships with industry, K-12 schools, community organizations, and employers to enhance program visibility and workforce alignment.
Facilitate advisory board meetings with key program advisory committee members.
Engage in ongoing professional development to maintain technical expertise, instructional effectiveness, and industry credentials as required by the program.
Participate in workshops, conferences, certifications, trainings, or coursework relevant to teaching, technology, and the instructor’s discipline.
Apply new knowledge, skills, and best practices for instruction, curriculum, and program improvement.
Demonstrate Southeast Technical College’s Core Values through instructional practices, service, and professional interactions.
Comply with college policies, accreditation requirements, safety standards, and ethical guidelines.
Maintain accreditation and compliance with CODA standards and state regulations, oversee curriculum development and coordination, faculty management, student support, externship coordination, and administrative tasks.
Perform other related duties as assigned in support of student success, program quality, and the mission of Southeast Technical College.