Widening pay gaps between private practice dentists and clinical professors at dental schools were just one factor cited in a recent report about the decreasing number of dentists committing to careers in teaching.
Published in the January edition of the Journal of Dental Education, the report by an Indiana University School of Dentistry department chair with researchers from six other U.S. dental schools is calling for quick and creative solutions to reverse this trend, including mandatory mentoring programs, improved faculty compensation, new loan and tuition repayment and waiver programs, junior faculty development scholarships and allowing more flexibility for clinical faculty to have time for private practices.
The report cited an average of almost seven faculty vacancies per dental school and an average pay gap between general practice dentists and clinical faculty of $86,000, so it's not surprising that lead author Dr. Vanchit John characterized the problem as "the most critical challenge confronting dentistry."
John and his colleagues proposed seven specific recommendations for successful mentoring programs along with proposing institutional and national programs to improve faculty compensation, allowing increases in practice time for clinicians, and allowing clinicians more freedom for consulting and lecturing opportunities.
Hopefully someone is listening…