Dental Hygiene Program Director

LeoForce; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Leoforce seeks a Program Director to oversee the Dental Hygiene program's academic integrity and operations in San Jose, CA. You will manage curriculum, faculty, student outcomes, accreditation compliance, and external partnerships for clinical rotations, driving continuous improvement from assessment data.

The role emphasizes faculty qualification, onboarding, scheduling, evaluations, and supervision, with responsibility for externships, equipment, and programmatic reporting.

Qualifications

• Master's degree.
• Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) or State Dentist license.
• BLS for Healthcare Provider (AHA or ARC).
• Infection Control certification (2 units) and CA Dental Practice Act certification (2 units).
• 2 years of clinical practice experience.
• Documentation of 2 years of experience teaching in pre- or post-licensure dental hygiene or dental programs (may be waived for an Interim Program Director).
• Documentation of a minimum of 2,000 hours in direct patient care as an RDH, or working with an RDH.
• Prior experience in higher education or academic program management preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee faculty qualifications, licensure, and work experience to meet program and accreditation standards.
• Assist with faculty recruitment, selection, onboarding, and professional development.
• Develop academic schedules, conduct faculty evaluations, and perform classroom observations.
• Train, supervise, mentor, and evaluate faculty to ensure quality instruction.
• Manage program compliance with college policies, accreditation standards, and industry regulations.
• Develop and implement student retention strategies; monitor student progress, including students on leave and in clinicals or externships.
• Oversee externship and clinical site placements to ensure they meet program requirements.
• Maintain program equipment, supplies, textbooks, and materials.
• Monitor course and program outcomes, retention, graduation rates, and licensure exam pass rates; build improvement plans as needed.
• Organize advisory committee meetings, faculty meetings, and curriculum review sessions.
• Prepare and submit accreditation documentation accurately and on time.
• Participate in college governance committees and professional development.
• Teach assigned courses and assess student learning outcomes.
• Provide feedback and additional support to students, including tutoring and communication on attendance or academic concerns.
• Maintain student records and evaluations per institutional and accreditation requirements.

Skills

Faculty management

Curriculum development

Accreditation compliance

Teaching/Instruction

Student outcomes analysis

External partnerships

Clinical rotations coordination

Program assessment

Education

Master's degree

RDH license or State Dentist license

BLS for Healthcare Provider

Infection Control certification (2 units)

CA Dental Practice Act certification (2 units)

2 years of clinical practice experience

2,000 hours direct patient care as RDH

Higher education/program management experience

Job description

Job Description

Experience: Mid Level

Salary: $105,000 - $120,000 per year

Job Details --------- Summary: The Program Director oversees the academic integrity and operational success of the Dental Hygiene program, including curriculum, faculty management, student outcomes, accreditation compliance, and overall performance. This role plays a key part in student retention and success, ensures faculty are qualified and well supported, and may include teaching courses. It also involves managing resources, developing external partnerships for clinical rotations, and driving continuous improvement from assessment data.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Ensure faculty qualifications, licensure, and work experience meet program and accreditation standards
• Assist with faculty recruitment, selection, onboarding, and professional development
• Develop academic schedules, conduct faculty evaluations, and perform classroom observations
• Train, supervise, mentor, and evaluate faculty to ensure quality instruction
• Manage program compliance with college policies, accreditation standards, and industry regulations
• Develop and implement student retention strategies; monitor student progress, including students on leave and in clinicals or externships
• Oversee externship and clinical site placements to ensure they meet program requirements
• Maintain program equipment, supplies, textbooks, and materials
• Monitor course and program outcomes, retention, graduation rates, and licensure exam pass rates; build improvement plans as needed
• Organize advisory committee meetings, faculty meetings, and curriculum review sessions
• Prepare and submit accreditation documentation accurately and on time
• Participate in college governance committees and professional development

Instructional Responsibilities

• Participate in student recruitment and selection
• Teach assigned courses and assess student learning outcomes
• Provide feedback and additional support to students, including tutoring and communication on attendance or academic concerns
• Maintain student records and evaluations per institutional and accreditation requirements

Supervisory Responsibilities

Directly supervises 1-15 faculty members.

Qualifications

• Master's degree
• Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) or State Dentist license
• BLS for Healthcare Provider (AHA or ARC)
• Infection Control certification (2 units) and CA Dental Practice Act certification (2 units)
• 2 years of clinical practice experience
• Documentation of 2 years of experience teaching in pre- or post-licensure dental hygiene or dental programs (may be waived for an Interim Program Director)
• Documentation of a minimum of 2,000 hours in direct patient care as an RDH, or working with an RDH
• Prior experience in higher education or academic program management preferred