HRSA and Eastman Institute for Oral Health Establish the First National Dental Faculty Development Center – (READ MORE BELOW)
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) selected the Eastman Institute for Oral Health (EIOH), University of Rochester Medical Center, 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 interprofessional clinical educators capable of addressing issues of diversity and health equity, as well as leaders in primary care dentistry.
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 Dr. Jennifer Holtzman, D.D.S., M.P.H., Dental officer with HRSA’s Bureau of Health Workforce. “Evidence suggests that faculty in health professional schools can serve as role models. Well-prepared 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.”
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. Dr. Sean McLaren, D.D.S., chair EIOH Pediatric Dentistry Residency Program and Dr. Walter J. Psoter, D.D.S., Ph.D., 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 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,” said EIOH Director Dr. Eli Eliav, D.M.D., Ph.D. “and we look forward to working together on this unique program.”
For program details and application, visit DentalEducatorCenter.urmc.edu
