"Adjunct Instructor - Dental Hygiene"

Position Announcement

Utah Valley University invites passionate dental professionals to join our vibrant Dental Hygiene Program as Clinical Adjunct Instructors. In this role, you’ll work directly with motivated students and experienced faculty to help shape the next generation of Registered Dental Hygienists. Through hands-on instruction and evaluation in the clinic, you’ll guide students in building the clinical competencies and confidence needed to succeed on their board exams and in professional practice.

This is a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in dental education while maintaining flexibility in your professional schedule. Whether supervising students in clinical, pre-clinical, or lab settings—such as dental radiology, oral science, or dental materials—you will play a key role in developing skilled, compassionate practitioners who are ready to serve their communities. If you're committed to excellence in dental hygiene and enjoy mentoring others, we encourage you to apply.

This position is located at the UVU Lehi Campus

Summary of Responsibilities

• Provide instruction and evaluation to dental hygiene students in the clinical setting through demonstrations and exercises.
• Prepare students for success on national and regional dental hygiene board examinations.
• Supervise and evaluate students in pre-clinical, clinical, and laboratory sessions.
• Provide instruction in specialized areas such as dental radiology, oral science, and dental materials.
• Maintain current knowledge of clinical hygiene standards of care in Utah, including:
• Preventive therapies
• Radiographic techniques and interpretation
• Use of dental materials
• Periodontal instrumentation and advanced periodontal procedures
• Contribute to curriculum improvement efforts based on current best practices in dental hygiene.
• Demonstrate clinical competence in traditional dental hygiene procedures.
• Apply problem-solving and critical thinking skills to clinical instruction and student development.
• Communicate effectively with faculty, staff, and students.
• Manage frequent interruptions to support students, faculty, and staff.
• Maintain professional, constructive working relationships with students, patients, and colleagues.
• Model and teach professional behavior and clinical etiquette.
• Train and assess students to ensure they meet entry-level competencies in accordance with program and accreditation standards.
• Demonstrate and instruct procedures, including administration of local anesthesia.
• Conduct fair and consistent evaluations of student performance, including clinical competencies and skill checks.
• Promote a professional learning environment characterized by excellence, respect, communication, and teamwork.
• Engage with a diverse student body and campus community in a respectful and inclusive manner.
• Attend Dental Hygiene Program meetings as requested.
• Travel to off-site or outreach clinical locations as needed.

Qualifications / Licenses / Certifications

• Must possess a baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited institution.
• Must possess a minimum of a two-year Dental Hygiene degree from a CODA (Commission on Dental Accreditation) accredited program.
• Utah Dental Hygiene license and current local anesthesia license (both in good standing).
• Three years clinical practice experience (minimum).
• Current CPR for Healthcare Providers certification (adult, child, infant, AED, choking). Infection control/HIPAA compliant.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and dental programs Dexis and Dentrix.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior clinical and/or didactic instruction, teaching methodology in continuing education. Knowledge of new technologies in the dental field.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

Knowledge

• Knowledge of current standard of care for clinical hygiene duties in the state of Utah, including preventative therapies, conventional radiographic principles, interpretation and techniques, dental materials, periodontal instrumentations, and advanced periodontal techniques.
• Knowledge of clinical hygiene best practices to be able to provide contributions to curriculum improvements.

Skills

• Skill and clinical competency in traditional dental hygiene practice.
• Skill in problem solving and critical thinking.
• Excellent communication skills, including ability to collaborate with program faculty, staff, and students.
• Skill in navigating frequent interruptions to assist faculty, staff, and students.

Abilities

• Ability to work constructively with students, patients, and faculty in a professional way.
• Ability to model and teach appropriate clinical and professional demeanor.
• Ability to educate and train students to achieve entry-level competencies according to accreditation and program requirements.
• Ability to demonstrate dental hygiene procedures as needed, including local anesthesia.
• Ability to conduct fair and consistent evaluation of students through skill evaluations and clinical competencies.
• Ability to demonstrate and promote excellence, respect, communication, courtesy, enthusiasm, and teamwork.
• Ability to work with and relate to a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, and the general public.
• Ability to attend Dental Hygiene program meetings upon request and as appropriate.
• Ability to travel to outreach locations as requested and appropriate.

EEO Statement:

UVU employment decisions are made on the basis of an applicant’s qualifications and ability to perform the job without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 and over), disability, veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth, or pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or other bases protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Utah Valley University’s dedication to exceptional care offers quality service and benefits to employees while staying committed to meeting the needs of a diverse workforce.

Although part-time and adjunct (less than 30 hours per week) employees are ineligible from the full-time employee benefits package, the university is pleased to offer the following:

Undergraduate tuition remission benefit:Part-time: waives 100 percent of tuition and general student fees for up to 3 credit hours or 1 course after 6 consecutive months of employment and a minimum of 480 hours worked (dependents do not qualify)Adjunct: waives 100 percent of tuition and general student fees for one course per semester in which there is an active teaching assignment at the university (dependents do not qualify)Access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)Access to Campus Recreation and WellnessExclusive cash rewards through Utah Community Credit Union’s (UCCU) branch on UVU’s campus when becoming a member