Areas of Focus

Classroom teacher/lecturer: A faculty member who is directly involved in conveying information to the students, typically through lectures, seminars, and similar activities. This is great for someone who is comfortable in large groups and who enjoys daily interaction with many different people.

Teaching activities occur in a variety of educational settings and formats, including:

• Didactic presentations
• Lectures
• Seminars
• Conferences

Clinical instructor: Typically responsible at a regularly recurring time during the week to ensure the continuity of care provided by students in the clinical teaching facility.

As a clinical instructor, you teach skills which combine to create competencies in the execution of services for patients. An example would be demonstrating and then supervising the student in creating a particular type of cavity preparation, caries removal, and restoration of the tooth. The willingness to actually provide care and a demonstration mode is critical to the success of good clinical teaching. Being a clinical instructor requires patience and empathy for the mindset of the student. Clinical teaching can also be part of the general "teacher" role.

Some beneficial skills for this role include:

• Strong clinical skills
• Understanding the stepwise process of the particular treatment being provided
• Providing critical analysis of the skills required in the total competency being developed
• Giving clear feedback and discussing details to ensure students are learning

Scholar/researcher: One who is engaged in multiple activities including research, publishing, providing lectures and seminars, and directing general educational activities.

Some areas of interest for this role are:

• Contribution of new observations that adds to existing knowledge and enhances the discipline
• Development of innovative public health, clinical technology, interventions and treatments
• Membership on multidisciplinary or collaborative research teams, in which contribution is substantial and recognized
• Membership on research advisory panel and editorial boards

Mentor: A faculty member who serves as both a role model and an advisor in professional and personal spheres.

A mentor is easily accessible to students and other faculty and provides information, leadership, and support to the developing educator. As a mentor, you would also receive benefits including developing professional relationships and the potential to leave your mark within your institution. You would bring your experience in academic dentistry and act as a representative for the vision of your institution and the departments.

Curriculum developer: A faculty member engaged in creating the format, presentation methodology, general pedagogical techniques, and content for students at the pre-doctoral and/or advanced education level.

As a curriculum developer, you may participate in the development of educational programs, textbook chapters, syllabi, computer programs and simulation technology.

Information management: Faculty engaged in the development of information technology protocols and methods for use in both the educational and the clinical management setting.

A technology services group often provides support for students, faculty, and staff in the areas of library services, clinical and educational technology, media production and web services. This may also include Informatics research on providing support and assistance with data collection, analysis, presentation and visualization.

This area could be a good fit if you are interested in innovation and technology in patient care and education.

Grant writer: A faculty member who seeks appropriate sources for funding of various projects and facilitates the creation of appropriate grant applications in a timely fashion for submission to the sponsoring agency.

A grant writer should be interested in writing, consulting, research, program planning, evaluation, and budgeting. Grant writers are adaptable and flexible, goal oriented, Internet savvy, and persistent.

Administrator: Provide essential functions for students, staff, faculty and patients. These functions range from recruitment and student support to technology provision, research and patient services.

Some responsibilities include:

• Strategic planning and operations
• Quality improvement of curriculum and instruction
• Fiscal planning, resource acquisition and management (including budget preparation, supervision and utilization)
• Student affairs (including admissions and enrollment management, financial aid, counseling and other student support services and activities)
• Space and facilities planning and management (including capital projects)
• Academic program development, evaluation and revision
• Personnel administration, including faculty and staff appointments, retention and development
• Promoting cultural and ethnic diversity
• Fundraising, alumni affairs and public relations

• Significant office and practice management skills
• The ability to listen carefully, critically, and provide feedback
• Willingness to assume leadership responsibility and to accept criticism when plans to not execute as desired