Dental Hygiene Program Director
Apply NowCompany: Ocean County College
Location: Toms River, NJ 08753
Description:
Salary: $71,014.00 - $94,686.00 Annually
Location : Main Campus - Toms River, NJ
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 202300797
Division: Academic Affairs
Department: School of Nursing & Health Sciences
Opening Date: 04/08/2025
Closing Date: 5/2/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
The Position
The Dental Hygiene Program Director is responsible for developing the curriculum and associated syllabi and competencies to create an Associates in Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene. This curriculum should meet the requirements for securing and subsequently maintaining accreditation through the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and the New Jersey Board of Dentistry. The Dental Hygiene Program Director's primary role will initially consist of all facets of program development and the achievement of program accreditation, including, but not limited to, course and program development, staffing, overseeing the setup of a lab, and establishing an admissions process and criteria. Once the program enrolls students, the Dental Hygiene Program Director role shifts to attaining educational goals and objectives; managing the day-to-day operations of the Program; ensuring Program compliance with all CODA, State, and College standards; formulating strategies to enhance student success; supervising and mentoring part and full time faculty; developing in service programs to enhance faculty and student performance; promoting personal and professional development; providing student guidance and appropriate referrals; and generating periodic assessment reports. Additional duties encompass designing faculty and class schedules; coordinating activities, networking with the community to promote dental health; maintaining the laboratory and clinical facilities, assessing Program and student outcomes; developing and implementing strategic plans based upon gathered data; and management of the Program budget.
Classification: Non-Affiliated Administrator
Staff Duration: Full Time 12 months
What You Will Do
1. Designs, develops and implements the Dental Hygiene Program curriculum consistent with accreditation standards set by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and the New Jersey Board of Dentistry Dental Hygiene requirements.
2. Manages the Program based on existing and new standards and CODA requirements through an on-going curriculum review process including: evaluation of all courses to determine relationship to program goals and competencies; review of course content to determine scope, depth, sequence, level of instruction, duplication, and relevancy; utilization of data from faculty input, surveys, course evaluations, and board scores to strengthen and revise curriculum. Participates in systematic program assessment and strategic planning.
3. Recommends and schedules board review sessions, coordinates the Commission on Dental Competency Assessments - Western Regional Examining Board- Council of Interstate Agencies, Inc. (CDCA - WREB - CITA) Computer-Simulated Clinical Examination (CSCE) and Manikin Treatment Clinical Examination (MTCE) and National Board Dental Hygiene Examination annually. Assists students with state licensure applications.
4. Collects and analyzes data from student learning outcomes, student evaluations, and licensure examination scores to enhance critical thinking, promote student retention, and improve student success.
5. Oversees the daily operations of the program; hires, trains, evaluates, and supervises full-time and part-time faculty, recommends ongoing professional development, and ensures maintenance and currency of faculty credentials.
6. Develops Program operational manuals and student clinical and policy documents.
7. Identifies admissions and performance criteria for students.
8. Manages preparation, maintenance, inventory, and operation of all laboratory and clinical equipment and supplies.
9. Monitors and prepares budgets including operational and funding requests with recommendations for purchase of equipment and supplies aligned with technological change in consultation with the Dean of Nursing and Health Sciences.
10. Assumes public relations and communications for the Program including but not limited to: maintaining satisfactory relationships with other college departments and outside agencies; participating in health-related professional and community activities; and serving on department and college wide committees.
11. Develops and contributes to Departmental procedures and practices.
12. Provides educational support to Program faculty and staff regarding the use of equipment and educational strategies to promote student success.
13. Monitors changing trends, clinical practice protocols, and technologies in dental education to ensure currency.
14. Promotes computer-facilitated learning and knowledge of equipment utilized in the professional dental setting to foster competency in the use of related technology.
15. Performs related duties, projects and initiatives as assigned by the administration.
The Successful Candidate Must Have
1. Master's degree.
2. Current Dental Hygiene or Dental license issued by the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry and graduation from a CODA institution.
3. Five (5) years of recent professional dental experience with demonstrated proficiency in current dental practices.
4. Experience teaching at the undergraduate level with documented coursework in education methodology.
5. Knowledge of the CODA Standards and the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry requirements for Dental Hygiene Education. Experience with achieving initial or re-accreditation.
6. Four (4) years of leadership experience.
7. Administrative experience with accountability for individual and program results; ability to identify, develop, and implement training and development for both students and designated college personnel.
8. Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office products (specifically Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and other related technology required of the position such as multimedia computers and the ability to analyze and create detailed documents, reports, charts, presentations, and the ability to learn additional software, hardware and video techniques as necessary.
9. Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Even Better If You Have
1. Licensed dentist with a background in education.
2. Experience with learning management systems.
3. Professional membership in the American Dental Hygienists' Association.
Ocean County College offers the following benefits to full-time Non-Affiliated Administrators:
Personal Time Off:
OCC offers generous time off every fiscal year. Mid-year appointments will receive a prorated share of allotted time off.
Vacation: Twenty-five (25) Days
Sick: Thirteen (13) Days
Holidays: Fifteen (15) College Recognized Holidays
Pension Benefits:
Participation in the New Jersey State Pension System is a requirement of eligible employees. Depending on the position and NJ State review, the participating pension will be the Alternate Benefit Program (ABP), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), or the Defined Contribution Plan (DCRP). For more information visit:
Health Benefits:
Medical: OCC offers its employees several health insurance options through the NJ State Health Benefit Program as a local education employer. Coverage is effective after a 2-month wait period. All employees are required to contribute to the cost of their health benefits under Chapter 78, P.L. 2011. To view the cost of contribution calculator, plan coverage, and more information visit:
Dental: The College offers dental insurance through Horizon Dental with three plan options. All single coverage levels are at no cost to the employee.
Flexible Spending Accounts:
Our generous flexible spending program allows you to deduct pre-tax dollars which can be used for co-pays, deductibles, dental, and dependent care.
Tuition Reimbursement/Waiver
OCC offers tuition reimbursement to accredited credit and certificate programs, as well as OCC credit tuition waiver and non-credit course reimbursement for employees and their eligible dependents.
Ocean County College is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligible employer. Go to: for more information.
Employee Assistance Program:
OCC offers all employees to take advantage of our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health support. This is a free and completely confidential service where EAP counselors provide assessment, support, and if needed referrals to additional services.
Location : Main Campus - Toms River, NJ
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 202300797
Division: Academic Affairs
Department: School of Nursing & Health Sciences
Opening Date: 04/08/2025
Closing Date: 5/2/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
The Position
The Dental Hygiene Program Director is responsible for developing the curriculum and associated syllabi and competencies to create an Associates in Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene. This curriculum should meet the requirements for securing and subsequently maintaining accreditation through the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and the New Jersey Board of Dentistry. The Dental Hygiene Program Director's primary role will initially consist of all facets of program development and the achievement of program accreditation, including, but not limited to, course and program development, staffing, overseeing the setup of a lab, and establishing an admissions process and criteria. Once the program enrolls students, the Dental Hygiene Program Director role shifts to attaining educational goals and objectives; managing the day-to-day operations of the Program; ensuring Program compliance with all CODA, State, and College standards; formulating strategies to enhance student success; supervising and mentoring part and full time faculty; developing in service programs to enhance faculty and student performance; promoting personal and professional development; providing student guidance and appropriate referrals; and generating periodic assessment reports. Additional duties encompass designing faculty and class schedules; coordinating activities, networking with the community to promote dental health; maintaining the laboratory and clinical facilities, assessing Program and student outcomes; developing and implementing strategic plans based upon gathered data; and management of the Program budget.
Classification: Non-Affiliated Administrator
Staff Duration: Full Time 12 months
What You Will Do
1. Designs, develops and implements the Dental Hygiene Program curriculum consistent with accreditation standards set by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and the New Jersey Board of Dentistry Dental Hygiene requirements.
2. Manages the Program based on existing and new standards and CODA requirements through an on-going curriculum review process including: evaluation of all courses to determine relationship to program goals and competencies; review of course content to determine scope, depth, sequence, level of instruction, duplication, and relevancy; utilization of data from faculty input, surveys, course evaluations, and board scores to strengthen and revise curriculum. Participates in systematic program assessment and strategic planning.
3. Recommends and schedules board review sessions, coordinates the Commission on Dental Competency Assessments - Western Regional Examining Board- Council of Interstate Agencies, Inc. (CDCA - WREB - CITA) Computer-Simulated Clinical Examination (CSCE) and Manikin Treatment Clinical Examination (MTCE) and National Board Dental Hygiene Examination annually. Assists students with state licensure applications.
4. Collects and analyzes data from student learning outcomes, student evaluations, and licensure examination scores to enhance critical thinking, promote student retention, and improve student success.
5. Oversees the daily operations of the program; hires, trains, evaluates, and supervises full-time and part-time faculty, recommends ongoing professional development, and ensures maintenance and currency of faculty credentials.
6. Develops Program operational manuals and student clinical and policy documents.
7. Identifies admissions and performance criteria for students.
8. Manages preparation, maintenance, inventory, and operation of all laboratory and clinical equipment and supplies.
9. Monitors and prepares budgets including operational and funding requests with recommendations for purchase of equipment and supplies aligned with technological change in consultation with the Dean of Nursing and Health Sciences.
10. Assumes public relations and communications for the Program including but not limited to: maintaining satisfactory relationships with other college departments and outside agencies; participating in health-related professional and community activities; and serving on department and college wide committees.
11. Develops and contributes to Departmental procedures and practices.
12. Provides educational support to Program faculty and staff regarding the use of equipment and educational strategies to promote student success.
13. Monitors changing trends, clinical practice protocols, and technologies in dental education to ensure currency.
14. Promotes computer-facilitated learning and knowledge of equipment utilized in the professional dental setting to foster competency in the use of related technology.
15. Performs related duties, projects and initiatives as assigned by the administration.
The Successful Candidate Must Have
1. Master's degree.
2. Current Dental Hygiene or Dental license issued by the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry and graduation from a CODA institution.
3. Five (5) years of recent professional dental experience with demonstrated proficiency in current dental practices.
4. Experience teaching at the undergraduate level with documented coursework in education methodology.
5. Knowledge of the CODA Standards and the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry requirements for Dental Hygiene Education. Experience with achieving initial or re-accreditation.
6. Four (4) years of leadership experience.
7. Administrative experience with accountability for individual and program results; ability to identify, develop, and implement training and development for both students and designated college personnel.
8. Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office products (specifically Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and other related technology required of the position such as multimedia computers and the ability to analyze and create detailed documents, reports, charts, presentations, and the ability to learn additional software, hardware and video techniques as necessary.
9. Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Even Better If You Have
1. Licensed dentist with a background in education.
2. Experience with learning management systems.
3. Professional membership in the American Dental Hygienists' Association.
Ocean County College offers the following benefits to full-time Non-Affiliated Administrators:
Personal Time Off:
OCC offers generous time off every fiscal year. Mid-year appointments will receive a prorated share of allotted time off.
Vacation: Twenty-five (25) Days
Sick: Thirteen (13) Days
Holidays: Fifteen (15) College Recognized Holidays
Pension Benefits:
Participation in the New Jersey State Pension System is a requirement of eligible employees. Depending on the position and NJ State review, the participating pension will be the Alternate Benefit Program (ABP), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), or the Defined Contribution Plan (DCRP). For more information visit:
Health Benefits:
Medical: OCC offers its employees several health insurance options through the NJ State Health Benefit Program as a local education employer. Coverage is effective after a 2-month wait period. All employees are required to contribute to the cost of their health benefits under Chapter 78, P.L. 2011. To view the cost of contribution calculator, plan coverage, and more information visit:
Dental: The College offers dental insurance through Horizon Dental with three plan options. All single coverage levels are at no cost to the employee.
Flexible Spending Accounts:
Our generous flexible spending program allows you to deduct pre-tax dollars which can be used for co-pays, deductibles, dental, and dependent care.
Tuition Reimbursement/Waiver
OCC offers tuition reimbursement to accredited credit and certificate programs, as well as OCC credit tuition waiver and non-credit course reimbursement for employees and their eligible dependents.
Ocean County College is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligible employer. Go to: for more information.
Employee Assistance Program:
OCC offers all employees to take advantage of our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health support. This is a free and completely confidential service where EAP counselors provide assessment, support, and if needed referrals to additional services.