PDJ : Do you have expectations of your alumni , and if so , what are those expectations other than financial support of your school ?
Wolff : Naturally , we hope that our graduates support our school and encourage prospective students to apply to Penn Dental , but in a larger sense we hope that our graduates work to support each other through our alumni network . We hope that they support dentistry as a profession and become active in advocating for improvements in access to dental care and its affordable delivery in all settings – rural , urban , corporate , solo / group practice . We hope that our graduates become leaders within the profession including leaders within organized dentistry , dental education , research and within their communities . We often seek input from our alumni for feedback on where they see the profession heading and how we can better prepare the next generation of providers .
Oakley : The University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine is highly committed to a curriculum that supports teaching our students that as graduates , they are not only in a position to support and advance the oral health of their patients , but they are also expected to contribute to the advancement of oral health across our profession and our communities . As a critical member of the healthcare team , this commitment includes providing education and promotion of oral health to our neighbors , exceeding the ethical and professional standards while delivering evidenced-based and compassionate care to patients , and advocating for patients in need — whether for financial coverage for services , or by addressing access to care challenges .
Ismail : Graduating from any dental school , especially from a Pennsylvania institution like Temple University , is a privilege due to the skills and knowledge that the Commonwealth ’ s dental education system imparts to students . Dental education is expensive because we operate clinics where students acquire the skills and knowledge needed to practice immediately , without further training in residencies . The most important support any alumni can offer is to be proud of their dental school and what their education has enabled them to achieve . The urgent need for all dental schools is part-time and full-time faculty . Teaching is an honorable mission , and connecting with the next generation of dentists would enhance their education and foster alumni engagement . In 2025 , for the first time , we plan to hold an Alumni Reunion dinner with senior students to start building bridges between graduating students and alumni .
PDJ : How are you addressing the faculty shortage that we are hearing about nationwide ?
Wolff : We actively recruit from the surrounding dental community and from our alumni , locally , nationally and internationally . Pennsylvania dental schools face a unique disadvantage in that internationally trained dentists , no matter what their training and reputation , cannot be licensed within Pennsylvania to teach , even though they can in neighboring states . Additionally , we encourage our graduates to participate in dental education wherever they may be living .
Oakley : The University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine has developed a program for providing dental students with exposure to and training in academic dentistry . The Academic Career Track Area of Concentration ( ACT ARCO ) is a two-year program that pre-doctoral dental students can complete while they are working toward their DMD degree at Pitt . The program aims to provide a solution to the national shortage of dental faculty by equipping students with skills necessary for the three pillars of an academic career : teaching , scholarship , and service by introducing them to clinical and classroom teaching , engaging them in research , and developing their leadership skills .
Ismail : The shortage of faculty is a real problem , compounded by a job market that offers dentists high salaries and incentives that dental schools cannot compete with . At Temple Dental , we strive to recruit the best clinical students to stay on as faculty , offering significant support for their development , including assistance with educational debt repayment . We are always actively recruiting part-time and full-time faculty and highly value experienced clinicians who are committed to lifelong learning . We also try to fill preclinical and didactic teaching positions with faculty who may not have the appropriate license to teach clinically but are clinically experienced , focused , and able to collaborate with a team of clinicians .
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2024 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 15