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Dental Hygiene Instructor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Dental Hygiene Instructor information

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$42.5K

$76.1K

$146.5K

How much do dental hygiene instructor jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for dental hygiene instructor in the United States is $76,132.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $60,500.00 and $80,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a dental hygiene instructor?

Dental Hygiene Instructors are licensed dental professionals who teach and train students in dental hygiene programs, typically at colleges or universities. They provide both classroom instruction and hands-on clinical training to prepare students for careers as dental hygienists. These instructors cover topics such as oral health, preventive care, dental procedures, and patient management. They also evaluate student performance, ensure compliance with industry standards, and may participate in curriculum development and research.

What does a dental hygiene instructor do?

A dental hygiene instructor prepares prospective students to become dental hygienists by teaching them the fundamentals of oral hygiene, cleaning techniques, and dental x-rays as per the guidelines of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association. In this career, you may use a variety of multimedia materials to illustrate your lessons. You should have several years of clinical practice at a dentist office and the necessary licensure as required by the state before pursuing a career as a dental hygiene instructor. Your duties may also include administrative tasks, such as creating lesson plans, assessing your students’ progress, and attending faculty meetings.

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

To thrive as a Dental Hygiene Instructor, you need a solid background in dental hygiene, teaching credentials (often a bachelor's or master's degree), and current licensure as a dental hygienist. Familiarity with educational technologies, dental simulation tools, and learning management systems is typically required. Strong communication, mentorship abilities, and organizational skills help instructors effectively engage students and foster a positive learning environment. These skills ensure that future dental hygienists are well-prepared, competent, and confident in clinical and classroom settings.

What are some common challenges faced by dental hygiene instructors when transitioning from clinical practice to teaching?

Dental Hygiene Instructors often find the transition from clinical practice to education challenging due to the need to develop effective teaching strategies and adapt to curriculum planning. Unlike clinical work, teaching requires strong communication skills to convey complex concepts and mentor students with varying learning styles. Balancing administrative responsibilities, classroom management, and staying updated on educational methodologies can also be demanding. However, most programs offer mentorship and professional development to support new instructors in this transition.

What is the difference between Dental Hygiene Instructor vs Dental Hygienist?

AspectDental Hygiene InstructorDental Hygienist
Required CredentialsDental degree, licensure, teaching certification (if applicable)Dental hygiene degree, licensure, possibly additional certifications
Work EnvironmentEducational settings, classrooms, labsDental offices, clinics, hospitals
Employer & Industry UsageColleges, technical schools, universitiesDental practices, clinics, public health programs
Primary FocusTeaching and curriculum developmentPatient care and oral health services

While both roles require dental hygiene credentials and licensure, Dental Hygiene Instructors focus on teaching students in educational settings, whereas Dental Hygienists provide direct patient care in clinical environments. The roles differ mainly in their work environment and primary responsibilities, though both contribute to oral health education and services.

What cities are hiring for Dental Hygiene Instructor jobs?

Cities with the most Dental Hygiene Instructor job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Dental Hygiene Instructor jobs?

The most popular types of Dental Hygiene Instructor jobs are:

Who are the top companies hiring for Dental Hygiene Instructor jobs?

The top employers for Dental Hygiene Instructor jobs are:

What states have the most Dental Hygiene Instructor jobs?

States with the most job openings for Dental Hygiene Instructor jobs include:

Infographic showing various Dental Hygiene Instructor job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $76,132 per year, or $36.6 per hour.

Dental Hygiene Instructor

Concorde Career Colleges, Inc.

San Antonio, TX • On-site

$40 - $43/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 19 days ago


Job description

Overview
Dental Hygiene Instructor - Full Time
San Antonio Campus
$40-43/hr
The instructor's primary responsibilities are to provide active and effective learning for students in all applicable educational settings, act as professional and academic role models and commit to student satisfaction. This includes teaching in classrooms, labs, and outside the classroom during campus and student activities. This position delivers high-quality instruction to students, combining theoretical knowledge with practical, hands-on experience, develops and implements curriculum, assesses student progress, and ensures adherence to industry standards and best practices.
Responsibilities
  • Organize and deliver class objectives in a clear, concise manner
  • Foster and maintain an orderly, controlled, and safe environment for students in classrooms and labs
  • Maintain and prepare training aids, tools, and equipment in the classroom and lab
  • Maintain curriculum accuracy by keeping up to date on industry standards and practices
  • Evaluate student performance through assignments, exams, and practical assessments
  • Provide constructive feedback and support to students to help them achieve academic and professional success
  • Identify and report on any at-risk students; creates individualized success plans to mitigate attrition
  • Foster relationships with students to help them meet program competency requirements
  • Provide periodic and ad-hoc reporting to stakeholders
  • Meet with students and education personnel to discuss instructional programs and related issues
  • Provide and maintain regular, substantive interaction with students in online course components
  • Maintain accurate records of student attendance, grades, and progress
  • Deliver engaging lectures and lab sessions on assigned topics, diagnostic procedures, equipment operation and troubleshooting, etc.
  • Other duties as assigned

Qualifications
  • HS Diploma or GED (required)
  • Bachelor's degree minimum needed
    RDH from a CODA-accredited program
  • The minimum qualification matrix outlines the education and experience requirements for instructors based on the individual program requirements.
  • Direct and specialized knowledge in the area of instruction (required)
  • Expertise in the area of assignment that demonstrates the skills needed to provide instruction
  • Design and deliver engaging educational content, adapting teaching methods to diverse learning styles
  • Build rapport with students, clinical partners, and colleagues, fostering a positive learning environment
  • Flexibility to stay current with industry advancements and incorporate new knowledge into teaching practices
  • Competence in evaluating student performance and providing constructive feedback
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective instruction and interaction with students and colleagues
  • Commitment to ongoing learning and participation in professional growth opportunities

  • Frequently (80% or more of workday)
    • Use hearing and sight (both near and far vision)
    • Communicate with students and provide direct instruction
  • Occasionally (up to 50% of workday)
    • Use fine motor skills to operate personal computers, manual and electrical (dental, automotive, mechanical, nursing, etc.) equipment, as well as various diagnostic or procedure equipment
  • Rarely (less than 20% of workday)
    • Lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds with the assistance of mechanical interventions, students, or other employees
    • Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl to provide instruction in labs and demonstrate procedures
  • Able and willing to:
    • Communicate, think, learn, and reason
    • Use computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to process transactions, store documents, enter data, or perform assigned tasks
    • Safely ambulate and/or maneuver when on-site at Company locations
    • Demonstrate and utilize active listening, inductive reasoning, information ordering and category flexibility
  • Ability to use good judgment, problem-solving and decision-making skills
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage sensitive information with discretion
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment where deadlines are essential and multiple projects are worked simultaneously
  • Ability to gain, understand and apply information and data as it relates essential functions of the position
  • Ability to foster long-term relationships with stakeholders

  • Work is performed indoors in a climate-controlled environment when on site at assigned company location. Employees must be able to safely ambulate when on company premises.
  • On campus and on site work locations include exposure to student learning environments with a variety of conditions. Employees must be able to follow all safety precautions including the use of personal-protective equipment. Employees must also be able to adhere to site-specific safety procedures.
  • This position is designated as remote, hybrid, on site, or on campus to meet business needs. Remote and hybrid worksites must meet minimum technical standards for eligibility and participation.
  • No travel required.