Dental schools must maintain a collegial environment of academic excellence where faculty are engaged extensively in scholarly pursuits that enhance the quality of instruction, advance the understanding of human biology and pathology, and raise the standard of oral health. Constraints imposed by the tenure system are discussed. (MLW)

This paper reacts to seven papers presented at a symposium on the Institute of Medicine's 1995 report concerning the present status and future needs of dental education. The reaction focuses on the issue of dentistry's movement toward medicine both within the context of educational programs and as schools of dental medicine within academic health…

A survey of the tenure status of clinical dental faculty, faculty turnover rates, sources of new faculty, and future projections are discussed. Projections indicate a lower turnover rate, increased tenure denial, more stringent application of criteria, and the development of dual tracks for clinical dental faculty. (MLW)

It is argued that full-time dental faculty should all engage in some research activity, and that dental schools should provide development activities for growth in this area. Clear expectations and a supportive environment are seen as essential, and examples of faculty research evaluation criteria and a faculty development plan are included. (MSE)

The hypothesis that the demand for dental education has affected or will negatively affect the availability of dental care is tested by examining a series of questions relating to students, faculty, schools of dentistry and their parent universities, and manpower. (MSE)

Schools of dentistry (=60) were surveyed to determine the status of full-time faculty and compared to responses made in 1980 to the identical survey. There has been a decrease in the number of full-time clinical faculty whereas the proportion of clinical faculty with tenure has increased. (Author/MLW)

Discusses what the predoctoral dental curriculum should emphasize, in both general content and learning and teaching processes, in order to fully integrate a postgraduate-year experience. Two reports recommending strategies for dental education are compared for suggested curriculum structure, instructional modes, articulation, practicum design,…

Data from a 1994 survey of dental schools (n=39) concerning faculty employment patterns are compared with data from 1980 (n=41) and 1989 (n=40) surveys. Information gathered on tenure status of clinical faculty, tenured and nontenured faculty turnover rates, reasons for faculty leaving an institution, tenure denials, factors affecting tenure,…