Lake Area Technical College is seeking a dedicated and passionate Dental Hygiene Program Director to lead and oversee all aspects of the Dental Hygiene Program. This role is pivotal in ensuring program excellence, guiding faculty, and mentoring students, while maintaining compliance with accreditation standards. The Director will collaborate with various stakeholders to foster a high-quality educational environment that prepares students for successful careers in dental hygiene.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the Dental Hygiene Program, ensuring it meets educational goals and accreditation standards.
• Coordinating with the Dental Assisting Program to align curriculum and clinic practices.
• Develop, revise, and evaluate curriculum to align with current dental hygiene practices and accreditation standards.
• Recruit, train, and evaluate faculty members; provide ongoing professional development, support, and mentorship.
• Advise students on academic progress, evaluate performance, and develop action plans to address their educational needs.
• Ensure the program complies with the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) standards; prepare for accreditation reviews and self-studies.
• Recruit and manage contracts with clinical sites, ensuring students have access to quality hands-on training experiences.
• Develop and implement program policies, rules, and regulations in alignment with institutional and accreditation guidelines.
• Lead full-time faculty in advancing instructional methods and curriculum.
• Develop and manage the program budget along with the dental assisting program director, including resource allocation and expenditures.
• Coordinate educational workshops and in-service training sessions for faculty to ensure continuous professional development.
• Provide tutoring assistance to students as needed, particularly in lab settings, which may include evening hours to meet clinical hour requirements.
• Oversee the admissions process, including evaluating student admission criteria and procedures.

Qualifications:

• Education: Master’s degree or doctorate in dental hygiene (required) or doctorate in dental science.
• Licensure:
• Active South Dakota Dental Hygiene Licensure (required) or a licensed dentist in South Dakota.
• South Dakota Nitrous Oxide permit (required).
• South Dakota Local Anesthesia permit (required).
• South Dakota Radiographer permit (required).
• Certifications: Current BLS for the Healthcare Provider (required).

Experience:

• 5+ years of clinical dental hygiene experience (preferred) or 2+ years of clinical DDS experience (preferred).
• Background in education (preferred) with a strong passion for teaching and mentoring students.
• Experience with CODA accreditation (preferred)

Desired Skills and Attributes:

• Strong leadership and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to collaborate with faculty, students, and clinical partners.
• Knowledge of current dental hygiene practices and accreditation standards.
• Commitment to fostering a supportive learning environment.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

12 month contract with salary and benefits set by the Watertown School Board. 

Competitive benefits package including health insurance, dental insurance, and South Dakota Retirement System through the Watertown School District.

Full details are available at the following link:

https://www.watertown.k12.sd.us/documents/business-office/human-resources/75690