Innovative Education Helps Lead the Way

Carey Bradley, Phallin Hall, Dental Assistant trainees

Drs. Ritu Shah, Zachary Hansen, Setu Shah

EIOH Partners with HRSA for Robust Junior Faculty Training

Staying true to its legacy of innovation and leadership, Eastman Institute for Oral Health is working creatively to solve dentistry’s most pressing problems in both the classroom and the clinic.

With nearly 1000 open faculty positions in dental schools nationwide, and a significant percentage of current faculty close to retirement age, addressing this issue has never been more important. The dental assistant shortage caused by the pandemic has left dentists across the country scrambling. Without dental assistants, many procedures can’t be done, leaving patients and providers alike frustrated by the long wait times before treatment can be administered.

In a move that could help the faculty shortage issue take a valuable step forward, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) selected Eastman Institute for Oral Health to collaboratively establish a first-of-its-kind primary care dental faculty development center. The National Dental Training Center for Primary Interdisciplinary Care Educators will serve as a resource and training hub for junior primary care dental faculty in the U.S., preparing them to become inter-professional clinical educators capable of addressing issues of diversity and health equity, as well as leaders in primary care dentistry. “We are looking to partner with academic dental institutions to invest in and assist junior faculty with advancement potential,” said Eli Eliav, DMD, PhD, EIOH Director. “Working together, we will enable them to achieve high-level careers in academic, evidencebased dentistry, as well as equip them to advance the development of other faculty at their institutions.” The long term goal of the program is to support the career development of junior dental faculty teaching in general dentistry, pediatric dentistry or public health dentistry, and help shape their ability to become leaders in primary care dentistry and as clinical educators. The immediate goals are to recruit and train six Primary Interdisciplinary Care (PIC) Fellows based at their home institutions, who, over a two-year cycle, will commit 55% protected time to their training. This cycle will be repeated with six additional Fellows (12 total). The home institution will receive $75,000 annually to support its Fellow through a sub-contract with the Training Center. The Fellow also receives Training Center funding to accommodate mandatory attendance to the ADEA conference and other expenses, such as visits to Rochester, NY. The education and training will consist of on-line formal courses leading to an Advanced Certificate in Education for Health Professionals, select Public Health Sciences courses, and courses in systematic reviews and scientific writing. Additionally, the Fellows will spend three weeks annually at the University of Rochester. Each week will include intensive seminars on career development and interdisciplinary primary care topics. An important component of the Fellowship is career development with a home institution mentor supported by the Center’s faculty. Throughout the five-year, $3.5 million program, 12 trainees will learn a wide range of key skills, such as integrating oral health and primary care, setting up a teledentistry program, increasing access to rural and other underserved populations, and how to train other faculty in their home institutions. “Dental schools continue to face significant challenges recruiting and retaining faculty,” said Jennifer Holtzman, DDS, MPH, Dental officer with HRSA’s Bureau of Health Workforce. “Evidence suggests that faculty in health professional schools can serve as role models. Wellprepared primary care clinical instructors, particularly those providing instruction on how to care for the oral health needs of underserved and vulnerable populations, can positively influence dental students’ and residents’ practice choices.”

Throughout the five-year, $3.5 million program, 12 trainees will learn a wide range of key skills.

The curriculum will be provided over two cycles (two years per cycle), and delivered primarily online through individual and group sessions, with three weeks of onsite learning in Rochester, New York. Sean McLaren, DDS, chair EIOH Pediatric Dentistry Dr. McLaren Residency Program and Walter J. Psoter, DDS, PhD, EIOH professor, will serve as co-leaders for the program. “By maximizing trainees’ experience and competence to build resources and infrastructure at their home institutions, we are confident we can support the academic careers Dr. Psoter of junior faculty, promote clinical education in community-based training sites, and strengthen faculty recruitment and retention,” said Dr. McLaren. “We appreciate HRSA’s partnership to help address this critical shortage of dental faculty,” added Dr. Eliav, Among private practices, 82% of dentists who were recently polled by the ADA Health Policy Institute said recruiting dental assistants was very or extremely challenging compared to before the pandemic. At EIOH, the situation has been similar. In response to the dental assistant shortage, EIOH established its own oneyear paid, on-the-job Dental Assistant Training Program last year. It has been so successful, two additional cohorts were implemented and are in progress. The training program has been a win-win for both the trainees and the General Dentistry Department, EIOH’s largest clinic. “Due to this training program, we have been able to return to more normal hours as well as re-open the evening and Saturday clinics,” said Dr. Hans Malmström, chair General Dentistry. “And, the program has positively affected the quality and quantity of care we are able to offer our patients and the quality of the dental education for our residents.” The program was especially designed for people like Samarys Vincente, a Rochester native and mother of two, who had been wanting to try something new after

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Enrollment Spikes for EIOH Master’s in Dental Science

The number of students in the program increased to 46, compared to five students in 2017. A new track within the MS program now includes Systematic Review with meta-analysis as the research project.

“and we look forward to working together on this unique program.”

For program details and application for the next cohort, visit DentalEducatorCenter.urmc.edu.

Paid Training Helps Reduce Dental Assistant Shortage

working in food service for more than 10 years. But there was no way she could balance going back to school, working and parenting. With the opportunity to learn and work at the same time, she graduated from the program in January. “I love that I am now able to use all of the skills that I learned during the training process,” said Samarys, who likes working in the X-ray room and sterilization. “I truly enjoy dentistry. As a patient, it can be super uncomfortable and nerve-racking to go to the dentist. I feel my number one job is to make the patient feel as comfortable as possible. Having a good relationship with the dentist you are working with will help any procedure go smoothly.” Previously a security officer, Carey Bradley applied to the program because he thought it would serve as a good foundation for his ultimate goal of becoming a dental hygienist. “I didn’t expect the training to be so complex, but it’s also fun and very different,” he said. As a second cohort trainee, Carey really enjoys working with new doctors to see different dental procedures. “I like that the administrators are flexible with the schedule, and I’ve made tons of friends.”

Drs. Alexis Ghanem, Furqan Alwaely, Noor Abid

Dental Assistants Kim Hampton, Samarys Vicente

“So many people, including dental assistants, residents, administrators and faculty, have worked hard to make this program successful,” Dr. Malmström continued. “We’ve received great feedback from students and have made changes along the way to make it even better.”

“The most rewarding part of now being a full-time dental assistant is being able to pass on what I have learned to the other cohorts,” Samarys said. “I love when my coworkers come to me for help when they are having some difficulties and trust my judgment. And, I’ve formed many friendships throughout the training process and after.” Every EIOH post-doctoral specialty program is accredited by the commission on Dental Accreditation without any reporting requirements.

Combined Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery with an Executive MBA program, in collaboration with UR’s Simon School.

Combined Master in Science degree with Preceptorship in Orofacial Pain, Orthodontics, General Dentistry and Periodontics.

New tracks in the Advanced Education in General Dentistry training program now include an additional year of experience in community outreach, treating patients with special needs, and clinical research.

The General Dentistry Practicum, a new program approved by NYS, is a bridge to residency and/or faculty positions for new graduates of the Advanced Education in General Dentistry training program. The program provides a short-term intensive hands-on experience in comprehensive multidisciplinary oral health care and the opportunity to teach in the clinical setting, and to mentor new trainees.

EIOH initiated a collaboration with Monroe Community College’s Dental Hygienists program. EIOH faculty now participate in the teaching, and MCC students rotate at EIOH clinics.

EIOH is partnering with major universities around the world— including China, Saudia Arabia, Kuwait, Israel, India, Italy, Sweden and the United Kingdom—for student and faculty exchange programs and other collaborative projects.