Assistant Professor of Dental Hygiene

Position Announcement

The Department of Dental Hygiene at Dixie State University in St. George, Utah, invites applications for a full-time tenure-track faculty position, starting Fall Semester or August 2022. The mission of our Dental Hygiene program is to produce dental hygienists of the highest ethical and professional standards by providing an exceptional academic and experiential curriculum and serving the needs of students, the University, and the community at large. Our program values competence integrity, responsibility, mutual respect, and promotion of lifelong learning opportunities for our students, patients, faculty, and community dental health professionals. More information about the department and its programs can be found online at https://health.dixie.edu/dental-hygiene/ .

Responsibilities

• Prepare and teach dental hygiene courses in the Bachelor of Science degree program in the classroom, online, clinical, and/or lab setting.
• Assist in development and maintenance of a unique dental hygiene program that promotes excellence and distinction by developing curriculum and program/course assessment of outcomes.
• Communicate expectations and establish clear grading criteria through appropriate pedagogy, including but not limited to developing course syllabi, online materials that support the instructional process; evaluate student progress, maintain appropriate records, and provide clear, timely feedback; deal consistently and fairly with all students.
• Advise students on educational and career planning; facilitate student learning through innovative, evidence-based teaching and learning methods that support the DSU motto of “Active Learning, Active Life”.
• Assist in the planning, scheduling, and coordinating of clinical experiences, service-learning education, and community outreach.
• Monitor, evaluate, and assess dental hygiene students' clinical progress. Restorative dental hygiene experience is desired.
• Assistance in securing clinical remediation, if necessary, while also serving as a student mentor.
• Monitor clinical case completion and importantly, dental hygiene service to our valued community members.
• Maintain a positive teaching and learning environment for both faculty and students.
• Create, foster, and maintain liaison with dental and other community entities, educational entities, and advisory committees.
• Participate in student recruitment, advisement, placement, and assessment of the outcomes.
• Assist in development of admission policies and procedures, student evaluation, and retention.
• Develop and maintain classroom, lab and clinical procedures, including safety, that follow local, state, and federal policies and procedures; share responsibility for educational facilities and equipment.
• Participate in program and university accreditation process as assigned.
• Perform campus-wide responsibilities including holding office hours, attendance at department and division meetings, service on committees, engage in scholarly activities, service to the department, University, and community, as well as other responsibilities as defined by University policy.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Dental Hygiene Department chair and/or Dean of the College of Health Sciences.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related field, with at least one degree in dental hygiene, required.
• Licensed (or eligible for licensure) in Utah as a Dental Hygienist and a member of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association required.
• Successful teaching experience in an accredited dental hygiene program preferred (finalists will be asked to give a teaching demonstration as part of the interview process).
• Ability to develop innovative curriculum; knowledge of subject matter, appropriate course content, current trends and methodologies in education and dental hygiene.
• Knowledge of computer-based technology as used in clinical and educational environments including online teaching/learning. Experience with Dentrix electronic records software preferred.
• Knowledge of dental hygiene regulations and legal issues for practice and education.
• Knowledge of infection control issues and procedures.
• Strong organizational, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to represent well the Dental Hygiene Program and Dixie State University.
• Due to the diversity of the patient population served, we encourage applicants who are multilingual to apply.

Supplemental Information

POSITION DETAILS, COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: Full-time (10-month) tenure-track faculty position. Faculty service begins August 2022, with pay & benefits starting July 1, 2022. Annual base salary of $60,000 - $63,000, depending on qualifications and experience; additional compensation available for summer/overload teaching. Excellent benefits package included that begins on start date; includes medical, dental, vision, employee assistance and wellness programs, life, disability, retirement, undergraduate tuition waivers for employees and eligible dependents, etc. See https://humanresources.dixie.edu/employee-benefits/ under 'Benefits Summary' for more details.

ELECTRONIC APPLICATION PROCEDURES: Application review begins October 18, 2021 ;position open until filled. Candidates must submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, contact information for three professional references (including email addresses), transcripts, and a Student Success Statement (approximately one page, single-spaced, about their teaching or other experience, successes, and challenges in working with a diverse student population). Please upload all of the requested documents when you submit your application. Employment is contingent upon successful completion and certification of required degrees and upon successfully passing a background check. If, because of a disability, you need special services or facilities in order to apply for this opening, please call the Human Resources Office (435) 652-7520.

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY: Dixie State University (DSU), soon-to-be-called Utah Tech University starting July 1, 2022, is an open, inclusive, comprehensive, polytechnic institution committed to exceptional student learning and success. The university has adopted an instructional approach of 'active learning. active life' and a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. We seek faculty and staff committed to creating an active, applied and career-oriented learning environment that is student-centered. Established in 1911 as a community college and in 2013 as a state university, the university is located in picturesque southwestern Utah with its red rocks, desert climate, over 300 days of sunshine annually, and featuring easy access to world-class outdoor recreational opportunities. The nearest metropolitan area is Las Vegas, NV (120 miles), with amenities such as an international airport and professional sporting teams. Click here to learn more about the University.

DSU is a fast-growing Utah public institution of higher education, with more than 12,000 students. We offer over 230 programs, including masters, bachelors, associates, certificates, endorsements, minors, and/or emphases. DSU seeks to recruit and retain diverse and ambitious faculty and staff who bring new ideas, possess values and career aspirations aligned with the mission and vision, and are inspired to build a premier open, inclusive, comprehensive, polytechnic university. DSU is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer; the President and employees of DSU are fully committed to Affirmative Action and within its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Dixie State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or DSU’s non-discrimination policies:

• Director of Equity Compliance / Title IX Coordinator: Hazel Sainsbury - titleix@dixie.edu , HCC 579, 435-652-7747.
• Deputy Title IX Coordinator: Abby Del Giacco - titleix@dixie.edu , 435-652-7731.

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://titleix.dixie.edu/ or contact:

• U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, ocr@ed.gov , 800-421-3481.
• U.S. Department of Education, Denver Regional Office, ocr.denver@ed.gov , 303-844-5695.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.