Description

At the University of Pikeville and Tanner College of Dental Medicine (TCDM), innovation and excellence drive our approach to preparing the next generation of health professionals. The TCDM seeks a dedicated Dental Hygiene Faculty Member at the rank of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Professor to guide predoctoral dental students within our innovative three-year DMD Program. This faculty member will play a key role in providing exceptional and innovative education, patient-centered care, and advancing scholarship.

In addition to teaching and clinical responsibilities, this faculty team member will collaborate with other colleagues across disciplines – including Periodontology and the Center for Research and Education in Technology (CRET) Innovation Center to pursue scholarly activities related to prevention and oral-systemic health. This role is central to TCDM’s mission of improving oral health outcomes in Central Appalachia through education, service, and innovation.

Responsibilities: 

Teaching & Mentorship

• Deliver high-quality instruction in didactic, preclinical, and clinical settings.
• Prepare students to provide evidence-based, patient-centered care.
• Supervise and mentor students in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment planning, and management of oral disease.
• Provide daily formative feedback to support student development.
• Oversee clinical competency exams and guide remediation as needed.
• Conduct semester evaluations to assess student performance and progress.
• Monitor student progress to ensure completion of core clinical experiences.
• Serve as course director or co-director for assigned courses.

Curriculum, Assessment, and Scholarly Activity

• Actively contributes to curriculum design, calibration, and assessment to ensure alignment with CODA standards.
• Engage in scholarly activity, with a focus on prevention, oral-systemic health, and interprofessional collaboration, advancing both research and education.
• Support the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) tools into education and clinical practice.
• Utilize emerging technologies to enhance teaching, simulation, clinical decision-making, assessment, and student engagement.
• Model responsible and ethical use of AI in academic and clinical environments.

Clinical Service and Quality Assurance

• Collaborate with Clinical Team Leaders, Clinical Faculty and Staff, and the Patient Care Coordinator to support a productive and patient-centered student practice.
• Monitor student case management to ensure effective and ethical care.
• Address or escalate patient care issues as needed for timely resolution.
• Contribute to quality assurance initiatives such as chart audits and clinical reviews.
• Support the oversight of clinical operations to promote excellence in patient care and student learning.

Collaboration, Service, and Professional Growth

• Collaborate with faculty across disciplines to provide an integrated educational experience.
• Support interprofessional education within the University of Pikeville’s health profession programs.
• Contribute to faculty development, committee service, and professional growth initiatives.
• Provide service to the Tanner College of Dental Medicine, the University of Pikeville, and the broader community.
• Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills.
• Engage respectfully and professionally with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including colleagues, students and community members.

Requirements:

• Registered dental hygienist and graduate of a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program is required; Doctoral degree preferred.
• Possess or be eligible to obtain a license to practice dental hygiene in Kentucky.
• Previous experience teaching predoctoral dental students at a CODA-accredited institution is preferred.
• A demonstrated history of scholarly activity and a strong interest in prevention and oral-systemic health are preferred.

The University of Pikeville offers a competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. UPIKE offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, telemedicine, long term disability, tuition waivers, a 403(b)-retirement plan, and HSA, FSA, & dependent care accounts. UPIKE also offers a generous holiday schedule and paid leave program.

Important Notes: Resume and other application materials will be reviewed to determine if you meet the required qualifications for the position. If it is determined that you meet the required qualifications, your application materials will be used to identify a top group of the most highly qualified candidates. Please, specifically address the qualifications, competencies and desired qualifications in your resume and application materials.

The University of Pikeville is committed to providing a safe and productive learning, living and working community. To achieve this goal, we conduct background investigations for all final applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial and/or motor vehicle history.

The University of Pikeville is an equal opportunity employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. The University of Pikeville does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age or disabilities in its programs, activities, hiring, or the admission of students.

For more information about the University of Pikeville, please visit http://www.upike.edu. In addition to the application, interested applicants are requested to attach to their application a letter of interest, current resume, and the contact information for three to five professional references.