Dental faculty recruitment at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry

This article addresses the dental faculty shortage as reported by the American Dental Association in its publication The Future of Dentistry and the Journal of Dental Education report on the demand nationally for dental school faculty. Budgeted full-time faculty vacancies in U.S. dental schools stand between 300 and 400 with present and anticipated state and federal shortfalls forecasting even further cuts or at least lack of government support. Acknowledging various reasons for, and responses to, the shortage, the School of Dentistry at Loma Linda University is seeking to deal creatively with a faculty shortage. A survey of newly hired full-time faculty indicates the issues that concern them and their colleagues. Loma Linda University School of Dentistry's response to the shortage includes a routine invitation to students, particularly seniors and residents, to consider teaching at the school. In addition, a simple alumni recruitment form is used for personal relationship building with alumni. A student loan reimbursement program for new faculty is a successful program in recruiting new, young full-time faculty. To provide for the long-term future of the research function of the school, a new program focusing on hiring doctoral (PhD)-prepared individuals who will be trained in the predoctoral DDS program at the expense of the school is in place. This article suggests further steps that can be taken to enhance the cause and reputation of the school's educational program.