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Dental Assistant Instructor Jobs in Portland, OR

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Dental Assistant Instructor information

See Portland, OR salary details

$9

$25

$49

How much do dental assistant instructor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average hourly pay for dental assistant instructor in Portland, OR is $25.28, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.56 and $29.81 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a dental assistant instructor?

Dental Assistant Instructors are professionals who teach and train students to become dental assistants. They develop lesson plans, demonstrate dental procedures, oversee laboratory and clinical practice, and ensure students understand both the theoretical and practical aspects of dental assisting. Most instructors have experience working as dental assistants or dental hygienists and often hold relevant certifications. Their goal is to prepare students for entry-level positions in dental assisting and help them pass certification exams. They may work in community colleges, vocational schools, or private training centers.

What does a dental assistant instructor do?

Your responsibilities as a dental assistant instructor are to teach students in a dental training program the duties of a dental assistant and help them complete their certification program. As a trained and certified dental assistant, you work with students in a dental assistant program to give them the education and tools they need for an entry-level dental assisting position. You teach tasks like the proper cleaning of teeth, identifying and using dental tools, assisting dentists during procedures, and educating patients on appropriate oral hygiene and care. Dental assistant instructors work in colleges, universities, or technical schools as part of the dental department.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a dental assistant instructor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Dental Assistant Instructor, you need a strong background in dental assisting, a relevant certification (such as CDA or RDA), and experience in both clinical and instructional settings. Familiarity with dental practice management software, radiography equipment, and teaching aids is typically required. Excellent communication, patience, and leadership skills help instructors effectively mentor students and foster a positive learning environment. These skills and qualities are vital to ensure students gain the practical knowledge and confidence needed for successful dental assisting careers.

What are some common challenges dental assistant instructors face when transitioning from clinical practice to teaching?

Dental Assistant Instructors often find that shifting from hands-on clinical work to an educational setting presents unique challenges. Adapting to diverse learning styles, managing classroom dynamics, and developing engaging lesson plans can require new skills and approaches. Instructors must balance teaching foundational knowledge with providing practical, real-world scenarios, all while ensuring students receive adequate support during their clinical rotations. Effective communication and patience are essential, as is staying current with evolving dental technologies and best practices.

What is the difference between Dental Assistant Instructor vs Dental Assistant?

AspectDental Assistant InstructorDental Assistant
Required CredentialsDental assisting certification, teaching credentials (if applicable)Dental assisting certification or diploma
Work EnvironmentEducational settings, classrooms, labsDental offices, clinics, hospitals
Employer & Industry UsageVocational schools, colleges, training programsDental practices, clinics, hospitals
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

The main difference is that a Dental Assistant Instructor teaches and trains students in dental assisting programs, often in educational institutions, while a Dental Assistant works directly in dental practices providing patient care. Both roles require dental assisting certification, but the instructor also needs teaching credentials or experience in education.

How much do dental assistant instructors make?

Dental assistant instructors typically earn a median annual salary of around $40,000 to $60,000, depending on experience, education, and location. They often work in educational or training settings, requiring relevant certifications and teaching skills.

What are popular job titles related to Dental Assistant Instructor jobs in Portland, OR?

For Dental Assistant Instructor jobs in Portland, OR, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Dental Assistant Instructor jobs in Portland, OR look for?

The top searched job categories for Dental Assistant Instructor jobs in Portland, OR are:

What cities near Portland, OR are hiring for Dental Assistant Instructor jobs?

Cities near Portland, OR with the most Dental Assistant Instructor job openings:

Infographic showing various Dental Assistant Instructor job openings in Portland, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $52,592 per year, or $25.3 per hour.

Part Time Faculty Interest Pool - Dental Assisting

Portland Community College

Portland, OR • On-site

Part-time

Retirement

Re-posted 19 days ago


Portland Community College rating

6.5

Company rating: 6.5 out of 10

Based on 11 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

515th of 622 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Join our Team at Portland Community College
Please Note: PCC currently limits employment to individuals residing in Oregon and Washington. Employment offers are contingent upon the ability to establish residence in Oregon or Washington. Portland Community College will also ensure that applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for the hiring process are provided for. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the PCC Talent Acquisition Team at pccjobs@pcc.edu.
Portland Community College is the largest post-secondary institution in Oregon and 19th largest in the nation, serving approximately 80,000 full- and part-time students. With four comprehensive campuses, five workforce training and education centers, and 200 community locations in the Portland metropolitan area, our unique role is to make high-quality education accessible to everyone, creating opportunities for our students and contributing to the economic development of our community.
Portland Community College is accepting applications for Part-time Faculty openings for Dental Assisting.
Our Program and Who We Are Looking For
Learn more about our program here https://www.pcc.edu/programs/dental-assisting/
This program is located in the Vanport Building in downtown Portland, Oregon.
Please also review the PCC Course Catalog for this subject area. As part of this application, you will be asked to list the current PCC courses which you would be able to teach.
If this sounds like a learning community that you would like to be a part of, and an important role that you would like to play at PCC, please complete your application today to be considered.
Instructor Qualifications
DA Instructor
Instructor must have current CDA (Certified Dental Assistant), Oregon Radiology Proficiency, Oregon EFDA and Sealant Certificates; Bachelor's Degree required; Clinical Experience of 5 years in a FT position either as a general chair-side assistant or as a dental assisting instructor. A dental hygiene license or dentist license could substitute for the dental assisting certificates.
Related Instruction
For DA courses in which Related Instruction is embedded, instructor must have
  • Evidence of recent continuing education in the areas of
    • team building and/or dental practice management skills (Human Relations and Communication)
    • dental materials manipulation and fabrication of impressions, temporary crowns, and study casts (Computation) and
  • Experience in curriculum design, teaching or training (Human Relations)

Why You'll Love Working Here
The PCC district encompasses a 1,500-square-mile area in northwest Oregon and offers two-year degrees, one-year certificate programs, short-term training, alternative education, pre-college courses and life-long learning. As part of our College community, you'll enjoy:
  • A collaborative and inspiring campus community
  • Opportunities for learning and professional development

Portland Community College embraces equity and inclusion as a priority. We are committed to building a community with a variety of backgrounds, skills, views, and life experiences. The more we value equity and inclusion, the more we will add value to the work we do and how we serve our students, engage with each other, and the Oregon Community that we serve. Creating a culture that honors equity and inclusion is our objective and the smart path forward.
Note Regarding Academic Credentials
  • Official transcripts are required to be submitted within 2 weeks of offer date for degrees required in the stated Instructor Qualifications.
  • Instructors shall have earned required academic credentials at a regionally accredited US institution or a foreign institution having the equivalent of regional accreditation. Instructors with credentials from other countries will have their transcripts evaluated by agencies that have good standing with the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services to establish fulfillment of this standard. (for more information see http://www.pcc.edu/hr/employment/faculty-information.html)
  • For more information on PCC's General Instructor Qualifications Policy I301 visit: http://catalog.pcc.edu/handbook/i301-instructorqualifications/

These positions are included in the bargaining agreement between Portland Community College and the Portland Community College Faculty Federation Employees.
See the PCC Instructor Qualifications webpage for more information.
Total Rewards Package / What We Offer
As a new Part-Time Faculty employee, you may be eligible for certain benefits through PCC, such as Oregon Sick Leave and retirement savings plans.
More detailed information on the benefits plans, who is eligible, and how to enroll or make changes can be found at pcc.edu/hr/benefits. Please email PCCBenefits@pcc.edu if you have any questions.
Part-time Faculty Compensation at PCC
Newly hired Part-time Faculty at PCC will generally start at Step 1 of the current salary schedule.
Hourly rates are determine based upon the type of course taught (Lecture, Lab, or Lecture/Lab).
For more information please review the Part-time Faculty Salary Schedule on PCC's Compensation page:
https://www.pcc.edu/hr/compensation/
Oregon Veterans' Preference in Public Employment
Portland Community College complies with the Oregon Veterans' Preference in Public Employment law which provides qualifying veterans and disabled veterans with preference in employment. You will be given instructions during the application process to claim Veterans' Preference in the recruitment of this position, and to provide the documents required for verification of eligibility. Please do not send your documentation to the hiring manager directly. For verification of eligibility, please submit the following documentation:
  • Veterans: DD214
  • Disabled Veterans: DD214 and Letter from the Department of VA

Notice of the Availability of the Annual Security Report
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), you may view Portland Community College's (PCC) most recent Annual Security Report (ASR) on the Department of Public Safety website. The ASR contains current security and safety-related policy disclosure statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and sexual assault prevention information and resources, and drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains crime statistics for Clery Act crimes which occurred on PCC properties for the last three calendar years. Paper copies of the ASR are available upon request at all Department of Public Safety offices.
PCC Employment Offers are Contingent Upon the Successful Completion of a Criminal Background Check
Please note that Portland Community College is not currently able to provide visa (e.g. H1-B Visa) sponsorship for potential employees.
Contact PCC at pccjobs@pcc.edu if you have questions

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