Dental Hygiene Instructor and Program Director

A Hiring Company; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 72,000 - 91,000; Full time

Job summary

Southeast Technical College invites applications for a Dental Hygiene Instructor and Program Director to lead the CODA-compliant program, develop curricula, and coordinate accreditation efforts. The role collaborates with the Dean and college stakeholders to ensure program quality and student success.

The position is grant funded and requires successful accreditation approvals. RDH or Dentist licensure is required, with travel for site visits and advisory activities as needed.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher from a CODA-accredited program.
• Five years as a dental hygienist or dentist.
• Experience in a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program with administrative experience is a plus.
• Computer skills: email, word processing, and spreadsheets.
• Strong communication and leadership abilities.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate accreditation activities and CODA standards compliance.
• Develop, update, and deliver curriculum and labs reflecting current industry standards.
• Establish clinical partnerships, externships, and site requirements.
• Oversee program operations, staff, student support, and records in compliance with accreditation.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Team leadership

Problem solving

Education

CODA accredited program

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

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.

For more information regarding this position, please contact the hiring manager, Deb Letcher at 605-367-5691.

• Academic Excellence & Instructional Effectiveness
• 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.
• Service to Program and Institution
• 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.
• Professional Development & Industry Engagement
• 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.
• Institutional Values & Professional Conduct
• 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.
• Program-specific Functions
• Maintain accreditation and compliance with CODA standards and state regulations, oversee curriculum development and coordination, faculty management, student support, externship coordination, and administrative tasks.
• Other Duties as Assigned
• Perform other related duties as assigned in support of student success, program quality, and the mission of Southeast Technical College.

• Education: 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.

• Experience: Five years as a dental hygienist or dentist.
• Experience in a CODA accredited dental hygiene program with administrative experience a plus.
• Other requirements:

• Computer skills: Ability to use email systems, word processing, and spreadsheet software
• Communication: ability to actively listen and to effectively communicate with others through written and oral communication
• Leadership: 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.

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES: Current, unencumbered Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) license or Dentist license in the state where instruction occurs.

Work is performed primarily in a classroom, a lab, and an office setting, with occasional travel for site visits/field trips, professional development, and student supervision.

Compensation details: 71756-91130 Yearly Salary