Term Assistant or Associate Professor of Dental Hygiene

The University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA), School of Preventative and Therapeutic Sciences seeks an innovative, energetic individual who will work in a collaborative teaching environment in the delivery of courses in the UAA Dental Hygiene program. The faculty member appointed to this position will provide advising to prospective and current Dental Hygiene students as well as didactic and clinical education to students enrolled in the Dental Hygiene program. The faculty member will contribute to the structure and daily operation of the program and clinic, including organization, administration, periodic review and evaluation, continued development, and general effectiveness of program curricula.

The College of Health at the University of Alaska Anchorage invites applications for a dedicated and skilled Dental Hygiene Faculty member to help prepare future dental hygiene professionals through high-quality instruction, clinical training, and student mentorship. The successful candidate will deliver engaging instruction across classroom, laboratory, clinical, and online settings, supporting student development in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective domains while teaching entry-level dental hygiene competencies using diverse, evidence-based instructional methods. This role requires the application of educational theory and best practices in curriculum development, student evaluation, and outcomes assessment, along with maintaining strong clinical dental hygiene skills and competence with current technologies and evidence-based practices.

The faculty member will actively participate in a highly collaborative team environment, contributing to program calibration, shared responsibilities, and constructive conflict resolution, as well as supporting student and program assessment processes for continuous improvement. Candidates must demonstrate knowledge of contemporary dental hygiene curriculum content with expertise in assigned subject areas, the ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively, strong interpersonal skills with a commitment to working professionally with diverse populations, and excellent written and verbal communication abilities. Proficiency in computer applications, including learning management systems such as Blackboard, dental software, and Microsoft Office tools, is required. A strong commitment to the mission and values of the College of Health and the University of Alaska Anchorage, with an emphasis on student success, academic excellence, and community impact, is essential.

To thrive in this role, the successful candidate should demonstrate:
Strong instructional skills to effectively teach Dental Hygiene (DH) courses, adapting to both classroom and laboratory settings.
A collaborative mindset to contribute to a supportive academic environment, and work effectively with colleagues, students, and community partners.
A commitment to student success, fostering engagement and supporting learners in achieving their academic and professional goals.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree or higher in dental hygiene or a related field (required by time of hire).
Current Alaska Dental Hygiene License or Dental License (required by time of hire).
Current Alaska certification in Local Anesthesia (or Dental License) by time of hire.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or equivalent by time of hire.

Position Details:

This is a term-funded, union represented, 9 month per year faculty position complete with both a competitive salary and  full employee benefits package . UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage.

Salary is based on education and experience.

We review applications on a rolling basis. Because we may close the posting once a sufficient pool of qualified candidates is established, we encourage early submission. Please note that once a viable pool is identified, further applications may not be reviewed.

The University of Alaska (UA) reserves the right to require employees to work on-site at the UA facilities. Hybrid and remote work may be approved for employees based in Alaska at the University's discretion. Remote work for employees based outside the State of Alaska may be approved only in exceptional circumstances or when required by the position's job duties.

☎️If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Carri Shamburger at View email address on careers.alaska.edu.

This position is represented by United Academics (UNAC). 

This position is term-funded and is reviewed annually for contract renewal at the University's discretion.

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.  Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact the ADA team at View email address on careers.alaska.edu .

The  University of Alaska () is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution.  The University is committed to a  policy of non-discrimination () against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

* Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.  The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.  

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA : (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online:  . Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: View phone number on careers.alaska.edu or  View email address on careers.alaska.edu / View phone number on careers.alaska.edu or  View email address on careers.alaska.edu . 

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online:  . Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: View phone number on careers.alaska.edu or  View email address on careers.alaska.edu .

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online:  . Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: View phone number on careers.alaska.edu or emailing  View email address on careers.alaska.edu .