Dental Assistant Instructor

Position Summary

The Dental Assistant Instructor is responsible for delivering engaging laboratory and clinical instruction that prepares students for successful careers in dental assisting. This role provides hands-on training, evaluates student progress, reinforces professionalism, and creates a positive learning environment that supports student success and career readiness.

The ideal candidate combines strong clinical knowledge with a passion for teaching and mentoring future dental professionals.

Essential Responsibilities

• Deliver laboratory, and clinical instruction in accordance with the approved curriculum.
• Teach dental assisting clinical procedures, infection control, chairside assisting, radiography, dental anatomy, dental materials, and patient care.
• Demonstrate proper dental assisting techniques, instrument identification, sterilization procedures, and operatory setup.
• Supervise and evaluate students during laboratory and clinical activities.
• Assess student learning through assignments, practical evaluations, quizzes, and examinations.
• Provide timely coaching, mentoring, and constructive feedback to support student success.
• Maintain accurate attendance, grading, and student progress records.
• Prepare students for certification examinations and employment in the dental field.
• Promote professionalism, communication, ethics, and patient-centered care.
• Maintain a safe, organized, and compliant instructional environment.
• Ensure compliance with institutional policies, accreditation standards, state regulations, OSHA, HIPAA, infection control protocols, and other applicable requirements.
• Participate in faculty meetings, professional development, and campus events.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

• Current Dental Assistant credential, Registered Dental Assistant (RDA), Certified Dental Assistant (CDA), or other credential as required by state regulations.
• Minimum of three years of recent clinical dental assisting experience for California candidates.
• Minimum of five years of recent clinical dental assisting experience for Texas candidates.
• Strong knowledge of chairside assisting, infection control, dental radiography, dental materials, sterilization, and patient care.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Passion for teaching, coaching, and mentoring students.

Preferred

• Previous instructional, training, or mentoring experience.
• Experience in career, vocational, or postsecondary education.
• Experience preparing students for certification or licensure examinations.

Core Competencies

• Student Focus
• Instruction & Coaching
• Clinical Expertise
• Communication
• Classroom Management
• Professionalism
• Organization & Time Management
• Collaboration
• Integrity
• Continuous Learning

Requirements

Required

• Current Dental Assistant credential, Registered Dental Assistant (RDA), Certified Dental Assistant (CDA), or other credential as required by state regulations.
• Minimum of three years of recent clinical dental assisting experience for California candidates.
• Minimum of five years of recent clinical dental assisting experience for Texas candidates.
• Strong knowledge of chairside assisting, infection control, dental radiography, dental materials, sterilization, and patient care.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Passion for teaching, coaching, and mentoring students.

Preferred

• Previous instructional, training, or mentoring experience.
• Experience in career, vocational, or postsecondary education.
• Experience preparing students for certification or licensure examinations.