Dental Assisting Faculty & Program Chair: Dental Assisting

Job Summary

Are you an experienced dental professional looking for a unique, fulfilling next step in your career? We are seeking a qualified Dental Assistant (with a Bachelor’s degree), a licensed Dentist, or a Hygienist who wants to remain hands-on in-patient care without the traditional demands of clinical practice.

Join our Dental Assisting team as a full-time, 12-month faculty / Program Chair leading and inspiring the next generation of dental professionals. In this role, you’ll teach across various formats—including day, evening, in-person, online, and hybrid classes—while fostering a positive, innovative, and inclusive learning environment. Whether you are an experienced educator, a seasoned clinician seeking a lower-stress shift, or looking to transition into teaching as you near retirement, this position lets you turn your hard-earned expertise into a lasting legacy.

There has never been a better time to guide future technicians: industry demand is soaring, and our community is eager to learn. You won't have to navigate the transition alone—we provide a robust two-year faculty induction and mentoring program designed to support you every step of the way. If you are ready to reshape your clinical skills into a deeply rewarding new career, we would love to connect with you!

Essential Job Functions

Important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Designs and implements instruction aligned with student learning objectives/outcomes.
• Employs various instructional methods and materials that are appropriate for meeting stated objectives, assessing accomplishments of students on a regular basis, and providing progress reports as requested and required.
• Formulates and maintains curriculum for assigned courses.
• Supervises and advises students. Motivates, inspires and retains students in the program.
• Maintains and evaluates program and student performance.
• Maintains cooperative relationships with the Dean, Dental Administrative chair, other faculty, the program’s Advisory Committee, all divisions of the College, prospective employers, and the community.
• Participates actively as a department member with a focus on student learning. 
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or willingness to obtain one within twelve (12) months from date of hire.
• Occupational experience in the application of fourhanded dentistry principles, either as a dental assistant or working with a chairside assistant.
• Three (3) years of full-time recent experience in clinical dentistry.
• Must meet one of the following qualifications:
  • Dental Assisting National Board “Certified Dental Assistant”
  • Dentist licensed to practice in the state of Iowa
  • A dental hygienist appointed after January 1, 2000, would be eligible for such an appointment after acquiring the “Certified Dental Assistant” credential offered by the Dental Assisting National Board and obtaining occupational experience in the application of clinical chairside dental assisting involving fourhanded dentistry.

Minimum Additional Requirements

• Instruction in educational theory and methodology, e.g., curriculum development, educational psychology, test construction, measurement and evaluation OR will complete training within 60 days of start.
• Certified in CPR, First Aid, and Mandatory Reporter Child and Adult Dependents OR will obtain within 60 days of hire.
• Demonstrated ability to innovate and grow.
• Demonstrated ability to learn and apply new and current technical skills and ideas.
• Demonstrated strong organizational skills.
• Demonstrated excellent written and verbal communication skills to positively interact with students, faculty, and staff.
• Demonstrated ability to provide excellent customer service, maintain student confidence and protect operational integrity.
• Demonstrated motivation to serve students from all backgrounds and educational experiences.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a wide array of people such as faculty, staff, students, and the general public in a professional and personable manner.

ADDITIONAL VACANCY INFORMATION

Working Conditions

Work is performed either in or a combination of an office, lab, clinical, and/or classroom setting using technology.  Requires good hand-eye coordination including visual acuity to use a keyboard and read technical information; arm, hand and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp.   Sit, stand, bend, lift and move frequently during working hours. During the course of day, you will interact with students, faculty and staff in person, by telephone and computers.

Anticipated schedule

Teaching assignments may include days, evenings, face-to-face, online, or hybrid instruction. A full-time teaching load of 15 credit hours per term is typical.

Wage & Employment Status

• Salary will be commensurate with the candidate’s education and experience based on the Hawkeye Professional Educators’ Associate Master Agreement.
• The 2026/2027 Academic Year 12-month faculty pay structure consists of 20 steps with Step 1 as $61,141 through Step 20 as $80,814.

Application Procedure

Complete an online application including 3 professional references with a minimum of 1 being a past or current supervisor and upload the following: 

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Transcripts (Unofficial transcripts will be accepted during the application stage. Official transcripts will be required if hired).
• Copy of your current professional license

Priority screening is set to begin on: Monday, October 26, 2026

• Completed applications, along with the required materials, received after the priority screening date will be considered at the discretion of the college.