Abstract
Picture this: robots restoring your teeth and placing implants, digitally created orthodontic treatment plans, 3D-printed dentures, nanohydroxyapatite remineralization of early carious lesions, artificial intelligence (AI) calculating bone loss and identifying potential caries on radiographs, wearable technology providing large amounts of health-related data. It is an exciting time for dentistry and dental education!
Now consider this: the greatest number of faculty vacancies ever in the modern history of dental education, fewer tenured positions than ever before, below-market salaries for dental educators, continually declining reimbursement rates from third-party payers, growing health inequities among the richest and poorest patients, and an increasingly medically complex and aging population of patients. It is also a challenging time for dentistry and dental education.
Both scenarios exist concurrently, and the constant tension between trying to keep pace with advancements and just trying to survive is draining. In a dynamic environment with limited resources, happy and engaged faculty can drive innovation and inclusivity and, ultimately, higher student achievement and better oral health outcomes for patient
Recommended Citation
Saeed, Sophia G. DMD, MBA, FACD; Chan, Hubert K. DDS, FACD; Smith, Carlos; and Nalliah, Romesh P. DDS, MHCM, FACD
(2024)
"Prioritizing Well-being to Advance Dental Education,"
Journal of the American College of Dentists: Vol. 91:
No.
1, Article 5.
Available at:
https://commons.ada.org/jacd/vol91/iss1/5