Investing in Dental Faculty: Current Challenges and Opportunities

Contributed by: Dr. Alina O'Brien, Assistant Director, Postdoctoral Pediatric Dentistry Program, Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry

Challenges in recruiting and retaining faculty are well known among dental institutions and acknowledged by many organizations, including the American Dental Education Association (ADEA). The rise in dental faculty position vacancies is largely driven by faculty retiring or transitioning to private practice. To create a robust pool of dental faculty, we must focus on mentoring students, providing financial support to faculty, and giving educational support to our existing faculty.

The Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Oral Health Workforce 2017-2030 report projects deficits in the dental workforce, particularly primary care dentists. Studies demonstrate that faculty mentors and strong interpersonal relationships with faculty role models are a factor in career choice and the decision to pursue a career in primary care dentistry. Bearing that in mind, one can imagine that with dwindling numbers of primary care faculty in dental schools, fewer graduates will consider a career in primary care dentistry. Workforce shortages in primary care dentistry will impact the number of dental health professional shortage areas, which currently include 70 million people.

Strengthening the primary care dental faculty workforce is critical for training the next generation of dental students and improving access to dentistry, particularly among vulnerable populations. Penn Dental Medicine is leading the way in this realm and has several initiatives in place. We are a participating institution in the ADEA Academic Dental Careers Fellowship Program, which will give students and residents hands-on exposure to dental academia through a mentored project. Recent surveys of dental school graduates reflect that only a small number of graduates plan to enter a full-time career in dental academics. According to ADEA’s survey of dental school faculty, in 2011-12, 7% of faculty started directly after dental school graduation, whereas in 2018-2019, that percentage had dropped to just 4%. To address the dental faculty workforce shortage, it is critical that we support our students who are interested in exploring an academic career and provide them with information to succeed.

An additional challenge dental schools face in attracting faculty is salary limitations, which may inhibit candidates with a high student debt burden. Penn Dental Medicine is a current recipient of HRSA’s competitive Faculty Loan Repayment Program award, which has resulted in the retention of six faculty who are currently receiving loan repayment. HRSA continues to prioritize faculty loan repayment nationwide and has recently released another series of competitive awards.

After recruiting students interested in academic careers and providing them with financial support as faculty, there is still a remaining challenge to retaining and promoting faculty: many candidates lack adequate training and support to face challenges of succeeding in an academic career. In fact, 2018-2019 data from ADEA identifies the inability to meet the requirements of the position as the leading factor influencing the ability to fill positions. Penn Dental Medicine partnered with the Academy for Advancing Leadership to create an online course, “Fundamentals in Clinical Education,” available to dental school faculty nationwide. In addition, the Center for Teaching and Learning at Penn is an excellent resource for Penn Dental Medicine faculty and offers programs on numerous topics, including active learning strategies, inclusive and equitable teaching, and integrating new technology in teaching. Other programs, such as the ADEA Emerging Leaders Program, the ADEA Leadership Institute, and the Academy of Advanced Leadership Institute for Teaching and Learning, can support faculty at various stages in their career.

Lastly, HRSA has established a first-of-itskind primary care dental faculty development center in collaboration with Eastman Institute for Oral Health to support the academic careers of junior dental faculty and promote clinical education in primary care settings. I am currently one of five fellows in the program, and as such receive support to have time and mentorship dedicated to professional development. The program curriculum includes courses in health professions education, scholarship and project development, program evaluation, and selected topics in primary care dentistry, including interprofessional collaboration and the care of patients in vulnerable populations.

Recruiting and retaining dental school faculty is a critical priority to ensure the training of the future of dentistry. Cultivating student interest in academic careers, providing financial support to new and existing faculty with high student loan debt burdens, and encouraging faculty development initiatives are essential activities to address the current national workforce shortage among dental faculty.

PROFILES, GATHERINGS & ENGAGEMENT ALUMNIHIGHLIGHTS

2023 Alumni Awards

The Penn Dental Medicine Alumni Society is pleased to honor the accomplishments and dedication of alumni with its annual awards. The awards will be presented as part of Alumni Weekend 2023 at a special reception on Friday, May 12, 4 p.m., in Fonseca Courtyard. The 2023 Alumni Award recipients include the following.

Thomas Evans Achievement Award

The Thomas Evans Achievement Award is Penn Dental Medicine Alumni Society’s highest award of recognition, honoring alumni who have shown innovation, excellence, and leadership in the profession of oral healthcare nationally and internationally. This year’s recipient is: Thomas R. Tempel (D’63)

Upon graduation from Penn Dental Medicine in 1963, Dr. Thomas R. Tempel entered the U.S. Army Dental Corps as a Captain. He served as the division dental surgeon for the 8th Infantry Division and Clinic Chief, Colman Dental Clinic between 1964-1967. In 1971, he completed his residency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center as a clinical periodontist and guest scientist at the National Institutes of Health. Advancing through the grades, he was ultimately promoted to Major General in 1990 and shortly thereafter appointed to the position of Chief of the U.S. Army Dental Corps from 1990 to 1994. From 1994 through his retirement in 1996, he also served as Deputy Surgeon General (the first non-physician to fill this position) under the U.S Army Medical Command. In total, Dr. Tempel provided more than 33 years of leadership, during which he had the opportunity to work with the Office of the Surgeon General Staff, the Department of Army, the Department of Defense, Congress and the civilian community in the U.S. and abroad in Germany.

During his military professional career, Dr. Tempel was recognized as an accomplished clinician, educator, administrator, and dental scientist. He contributed numerous articles to various professional journals and gave many presentations on sensory physiology of teeth, immunological aspects of inflammatory disease, periodontal disease pathology, clinical periodontics, preventive dentistry, professional fitness, military topics, and leadership.

“I believe we received a first class education in the art and science of dentistry at Penn Dental Medicine. I loved and appreciated my classmates, teachers, instructors, administrators, clinical staff, maintenance staff, and my clinical and research mentors,” shared Dr. Tempel. “I met Elaine Gardner (DH’62), a dental hygiene student, my second year, and we were married two days after I graduated; we soon will celebrate 60 years together. I never felt I ever did anything by myself; it was always a team effort with my family and classmates. I am happy and proud to receive this award.”

Alumni Award Of Merit

The Alumni Award of Merit recognizes love for and loyalty to Penn Dental Medicine, excellence in the profession of dentistry, and community involvement. The award acknowledges graduates who have maintained their ties with the School through their support of alumni activities, demonstrated leadership in the dental profession, and fostered and maintained the ideals of the School. This year’s recipients include: Howard

Young Alumni Award Of Merit

The Young Alumni Award of Merit recognizes Penn Dental Medicine alumni one to 15 years from graduation who have maintained their ties with the School through their support of alumni activities, demonstrated leadership in the dental profession, and fostered and maintained the ideals that the School of Dental Medicine has stood for since its founding. This year’s recipient is Kari Hexem (D’15).

Honorary Alumni Award

The honorary alumni awards are presented to individuals who are not graduates of Penn Dental Medicine, but have demonstrated a strong commitment to Penn Dental Medicine through their service to and involvement with the School. This year’s recipient is: