Open Rank Professor and Chair-Dental Hygiene

Job Description The University of Tennessee Department of Dental Hygiene is seeking a full-time non-tenure track Open rank Professor and Chair. The Chair of the Department of Dental Hygiene provides administration, oversight, and strategic direction of the Dental Hygiene Department. The Chair of the Department manages the academic and clinical programs within the department and oversees scholarship, patient care, continuing education, service, course development, faculty & staff recruitment /development, and research while ensuring high standards of care and regulatory compliance. As a key member of the faculty, the position will also include opportunities for clinical, laboratory, and didactic teaching, scholarly activities, and service to the Department, College of Dentistry, University, and profession. The position requires the development and implementation of organizational strategies and policies. The successful candidate for this position will be a strong leader who can identify and implement best practices, think strategically, plan for the long-term success of the college and effectively delegate tasks and foster a positive work environment and culture. The Chair works closely with the Associate and Assistant Deans & other department Chairs within the College of Dentistry. ResponsibilitiesRecruitment, hiring, and mentoring of faculty in the Department. Coaching junior and senior faculty in teaching effectiveness and conducting basic and/or clinical research and other scholarly activities that will help them qualify for appropriate promotion. This includes providing sufficient time, close monitoring, and regular encouragement for these activities. Works closely with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in curriculum development, management, and implementation. Collaborating with the Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs in developing and implementing clinical and academic components of the electronic dental record and other clinical processes within the department. Partnering with informatics personnel to optimize technology use in supporting teaching programs. Oversees all academic programs within the department both at the school and community service-learning centers. Maintain current knowledge of CODA accreditation standards for Dental Hygiene Education Programs. Manages accreditation processes and other program documentation as needed. Works closely with other college department chairs. Participates in budget plans for the department to ensure staffing, equipment, and funding meet mission requirements. Represents the College to external constituencies as appropriate. The Chair will supervise faculty and staff members within the Department ensuring effective performance management through regular evaluations, feedback sessions, professional development opportunities, and conflict resolution when necessary. The Chair is expected to lead research initiatives within the department by fostering a collaborative research environment, assist in securing funding through grants, publishing findings in peer-reviewed journals, presenting at conferences, mentoring junior faculty members in their research endeavors, and promoting interdisciplinary research projects. The Chair will be involved in teaching responsibilities which include developing curriculum content, delivering lectures/seminars/workshops, supervising clinical training sessions, evaluating student performance through assessments/exams/practical evaluations, advising students on academic/career matters, integrating new teaching methodologies/technologies into courses/programs offered by UT Health Science Center's College of Dentistry. Performing other duties as assigned by the Dean. QualificationsEDUCATION: RDH and Master's Degree in dental hygiene or a related field or DDS/DMD degree. EXPERIENCE: Three (3) years of administrative experience in higher education. Excellent written and verbal communications to effectively interact with students, faculty, staff, and administration. Demonstrated ability to provide effective leadership for departmental faculty and staff. Analytical and decision-making skills to address challenges and improve student outcomes. LICENSES: Eligible for a Tennessee dental hygiene or dental license and current BLS certification from the American Heart Association. DEPARTMENT PREFERENCES: Experience in program development, assessment, and accreditation processes. Preferred prior dental school leadership position such as program director/division head, interim chair, etc. Advanced degree in education such as Ed.D. preferred. For benefits information, please visit THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER The University of Tennessee Health Science Center is a statewide flagship, public, academic health institution in Tennessee. Founded in 1911, the mission of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center is to improve the health and well-being of Tennesseans and the global community by fostering collaborative education, research, scientific discovery, clinical care, and public service. Employing more than 4,600 people on its faculty, staff, and not-for-profit corporation faculty practice groups, and with more than 3,200 students across the state, UT Health Science Center contributes $4 billion to the economy of Tennessee. Part of the University of Tennessee System, the Health Science Center is headquartered in Memphis and includes all six of UT's doctoral-degree-granting health science colleges -- Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, Graduate Health Sciences, and Health Professions. UT Health Science Center spans the state with its four major, regional clinical health science locations in Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Nashville, as well as more than 100 clinical education sites across Tennessee. UT Health Science Center is the largest educator of health care professionals in the state and operates the state's largest residency and fellowship advanced training programs. Located in West Tennessee on the banks of the Mississippi River, Memphis is the second-largest city in the state and among the largest cities in the Southeast. The Greater Memphis metropolitan area has more than 1.3 million residents, and the city ranks among those with the lowest cost of living in the country. It is home to a vibrant restaurant scene, a revitalized Downtown, the Midtown Arts District, many scenic neighborhoods, an active medical district, and a burgeoning airport in the midst of a $214 million modernization. Memphis boasts attractions, including Elvis Presley's Graceland, the Memphis Grizzlies, historic Beale Street, the National Civil Rights Museum, the second-largest urban county park in the United States, and the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest.

Created: 2026-03-04