1

Dental Hygiene Program Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$39.50 - $52/hr

Overview Dental Hygiene Program Director $120-130K (DOE) The Program Director Dental Hygiene is responsible for the overall administration, accreditation, curriculum development, faculty leadership ...

Dental Hygiene Program Director

Portland, OR · On-site

$106.25 - $143.75/hr

Overview The Program Director Dental Hygiene is responsible for the overall administration, accreditation, curriculum development, faculty leadership, and student success within the Dental Hygiene ...

New

next page

Showing results 1-20

Dental Hygiene Program Director information

See salary details

$19

$42

$57

How much do dental hygiene program director jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for dental hygiene program director in the United States is $42.29, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $36.54 and $48.08 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges a dental hygiene program director faces when balancing administrative duties with supporting faculty and students?

As a Dental Hygiene Program Director, balancing administrative responsibilities—such as accreditation compliance, budgeting, and curriculum development—with active support for faculty and students can be challenging. The role often requires excellent time management and prioritization skills to ensure program goals are met while fostering a positive learning environment. Directors must also stay current with evolving dental hygiene standards, manage clinical partnerships, and address individual student needs, all while leading and mentoring their team. Successful directors cultivate open communication and delegate tasks effectively to maintain program excellence.

What does a dental hygiene program director do?

A Dental Hygiene Program Director oversees the administration and operations of a dental hygiene academic program, ensuring it meets accreditation standards and provides quality education. They are responsible for curriculum development, faculty management, student recruitment, and program assessment. Additionally, they often serve as a liaison between the institution, industry partners, and accrediting agencies to maintain compliance and promote program excellence.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a dental hygiene program director?

To thrive as a Dental Hygiene Program Director, you need advanced knowledge of dental hygiene education, leadership experience, and typically a master's degree in dental hygiene or a related field. Familiarity with accreditation requirements, curriculum development software, and learning management systems is essential. Strong organizational, communication, and mentoring skills help build effective teams and foster student success. These competencies ensure program compliance, academic excellence, and the development of future dental hygiene professionals.

What is the difference between Dental Hygiene Program Director vs Dental Hygiene Instructor?

AspectDental Hygiene Program DirectorDental Hygiene Instructor
CredentialsDental hygiene license, advanced education, possibly a master's degreeDental hygiene license, possibly some teaching experience
Work EnvironmentAdministrative offices, program oversight, curriculum developmentClassrooms, clinics, hands-on teaching
ResponsibilitiesProgram management, accreditation, faculty coordinationTeaching students, clinical supervision

The Dental Hygiene Program Director focuses on managing and overseeing the entire program, including accreditation and curriculum development. In contrast, the Dental Hygiene Instructor primarily teaches students and supervises clinical practice. Both roles require dental hygiene licensure, but the Program Director typically has additional qualifications and administrative duties.

More about Dental Hygiene Program Director jobs
What cities are hiring for Dental Hygiene Program Director jobs? Cities with the most Dental Hygiene Program Director job openings:
What states have the most Dental Hygiene Program Director jobs? States with the most job openings for Dental Hygiene Program Director jobs include:
Infographic showing various Dental Hygiene Program Director job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $87,963 per year, or $42.3 per hour.

Dental Hygiene Program Director

Concorde Career Colleges

Glendale, AZ • On-site

$110K - $125K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 2 days ago


Job description

Overview
Dental Hygiene Program Director
Lead the future of dental hygiene education.
The Dental Hygiene Program Director provides strategic and operational leadership for Concorde's Dental Hygiene program, ensuring academic excellence, regulatory compliance, and exceptional student outcomes. This leadership role oversees curriculum development, faculty performance, accreditation, clinical partnerships, budgeting, and day-to-day program operations while preparing students for successful careers in dental hygiene.
If you're an experienced Dental Hygienist or Dentist with a passion for education and leadership, this is an opportunity to shape the next generation of oral healthcare professionals while making a lasting impact on students, faculty, and the communities we serve.
Benefits You'll Love
In addition to joining an organization with an outstanding mission, Concorde offers benefits designed to support your health, financial future, and professional growth, including:
  • Salary: $110,000 - $125,000 per year, depending on experience
  • Tuition Waiver for you and your immediate family
  • Competitive medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • Generous paid time off
  • Paid parental leave
  • 401(k) with Company Match
  • Pet Insurance
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Professional Development Opportunities
  • And more!
Responsibilities
What You'll Do
Lead the Dental Hygiene Program
  • Provide overall leadership for the Dental Hygiene program, ensuring academic excellence and operational success.
  • Develop, implement, and evaluate curriculum aligned with CODA standards and industry best practices.
  • Manage departmental budgets, faculty assignments, scheduling, and program resources.
  • Monitor program performance and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Align the program with advancements in dental hygiene education and clinical practice.
Ensure Accreditation & Regulatory Compliance
  • Maintain compliance with Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), state licensing boards, and institutional policies.
  • Lead accreditation preparation, self-studies, site visits, and regulatory reporting.
  • Implement assessment plans to support continuous quality improvement.
  • Maintain advisory committee relationships and required program documentation.

Lead & Develop Faculty
  • Recruit, coach, mentor, and evaluate faculty members.
  • Foster a collaborative, engaged, and high-performing team culture.
  • Support faculty development and continuous learning.
  • Recognize and celebrate employee contributions and achievements.

Support Student Success
  • Oversee admissions, advising, retention, progression, and graduation.
  • Promote an exceptional student experience through quality classroom and clinical instruction.
  • Monitor student progress and address academic concerns and grievances.
  • Support achievement of completion, licensure, certification, and employment outcomes.

Build Clinical & Community Partnerships
  • Develop and maintain relationships with dental practices, clinics, healthcare organizations, and industry partners.
  • Oversee affiliated clinical education experiences and community service-learning opportunities.
  • Participate in the local dental community to strengthen the program's reputation and expand student opportunities.
  • Collaborate with advisory boards and external stakeholders.

Additional Responsibilities
  • Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
What You'll Bring
Required Education & Experience
  • Master's degree or Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS/DMD) with an educational background.
  • Degree earned from a CODA-accredited Dental Hygiene or Dental School.
  • Minimum four (4) years of clinical experience.
  • Minimum four (4) years of practical work experience in the subject areas taught.
  • Minimum 2,000 hours of direct patient care as a Registered Dental Hygienist or working alongside Registered Dental Hygienists.
Required Licensure
  • Current, unencumbered Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) license or Dentist license in the state where instruction occurs.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Successful candidates demonstrate the ability to:
  • Lead academic programs while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
  • Maintain compliance with CODA accreditation standards and state regulatory requirements.
  • Develop and evaluate curriculum that supports student learning and licensure success.
  • Supervise, coach, and develop faculty while promoting professional growth.
  • Manage budgets, resources, and departmental operations effectively.
  • Build strong relationships with students, faculty, clinical partners, and community stakeholders.
  • Deliver engaging educational experiences that support diverse learning styles.
  • Evaluate student performance and provide timely, constructive feedback.
  • Communicate effectively through strong written, verbal, and interpersonal skills.
  • Stay current with emerging trends and best practices in dental hygiene education and patient care.

Work Environment
This is an onsite position. Employees must be able to work in classroom, laboratory, and clinical environments while following all institutional safety protocols, including the appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and adherence to campus-specific safety procedures.
#LI-PW1