A study of the perceptions of dental deans toward formal administrative training

In order to understand better the attitudes of dental deans toward formal administrative training, a questionnaire was devised which asked for both personal and opinion data. Questionnaires were mailed to 209 persons with the title of "dean" at the 58 institutional members of the American Association of Dental Schools. Replies were received from 167 respondents (80%), and the replies were subdivided into the categories of dean, associate dean, and assistant dean, according to each respondent's stated position. Personal data on the questionnaire included the respondent's age, sex, and education, as well as information on his current position. Additional data on the questionnaire were concerned with the respondent's opinion on the value of formal administrative training for someone in his position, and what specific areas of training would be most valuable. In addition, the respondents were asked to rank formal training against other methods of gaining experience and to make appropriate comments. The majority of respondents felt that formal administrative training would be of value and that such factors as decision-making and leadership behavior training would be very valuable. The respondents felt that formal administrative and teaching experience would be even more helpful.