Department Chair, Primary Dental Care

The University of Minnesota School of Dentistry invites applications and nominations for the position of Chair of the Department of Primary Dental Care. The Department includes the divisions of Comprehensive Care, Community Outreach and Engagement, Dental Hygiene, Dental Public Health, and Dental Therapy. The Department Chair reports directly to the Dean of the School of Dentistry (SOD) and is a member of the Dean's Executive Team, known as the Council of Chairs.

The Department plays an integral role in the school's mission of advancing health through scientific discovery, innovative education, and the highest-quality care for all communities. The department faculty provide didactic and clinical instruction for pre-doctoral students in both comprehensive group clinic and community-based dental clinics.

The School of Dentistry seeks a visionary and inspirational department chair with leadership skills, research and scholarly experience, and a clinical background. The Chair is expected to be a collaborative leader in this multi-divisional department which includes advance education programs in Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy. A recent initiative for the Department is the Oral Health Educator Certificate Program managed by the Division of Dental Hygiene.

The School of Dentistry is one of six Health Sciences schools which consistently attracts high quality faculty and students, and has achieved an international reputation for research, education, patient care, and service. The department intersects with the Health Sciences directly through interprofessional education and integrated care in the hospital.

Review of applications will begin immediately, and the position will remain open until filled.

Duties and Responsibilities Include:

Provide Strategic leadership

• Provide strategic consultation to the Dean on the SOD's department goals and outcomes
• Improve research activities within the department.
• Collaborate to help school meet its strategic goals and priorities
Leadership
• Serve on the Council of Chairs (SODs Executive Leadership Team) and the Executive Sessions
• Supervise direct reports
• Report directly to the Dean and work with Associate Deans and other department chairs to achieve collegiate goals.
• Facilitate regularly scheduled department meetings, and attend divisional meetings, as needed.
• Participate in the University's budget process to ensure the development of an operational plan that represents the goals and aspirations of the Department and SOD.
• Attend and participate in SOD, Health Sciences, and University activities identified by the Dean to be critical to the mission of the institution.
• Function as an official representative of the SOD, as designated by the Dean, at select activities sponsored by the SOD, Health Sciences, the University, or other external agencies.
• Work to create a collegial environment that is conducive to the promotion of collaboration and resource sharing among faculty and staff in SOD to meet strategic goals of SOD and the University.

Managing the Department

• Oversee the operations of the Department offices and staff.
• Promote develop a vision and mission for the Department consistent with current and future needs in oral health care, the strengths and talents of departmental personnel, and alignment with the vision and mission of the School and University.
• Promote collaboration and engagement among departmental divisions, programs, and personnel within the Department.
• Recruit, retain, and reward faculty and staff to meet the varied and scholarly goals of the Department.
• Promote a patient- and student-centered approach and a humanistic environment within the department.
• Promote SOD and the University diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives among faculty, staff, and students.
• Ensure the department faculty have sufficient scholarly activities and research to support their successful achievement of promotion and tenure.
• In collaboration with Division Directors, annually evaluate faculty performance to ensure SOD and University teaching, research, and service goals are being achieved and submit these to the Dean or other administrators as appropriate.
• Monitor the administrative and financial components of the Department's divisions and programs.
• Manage the departmental budget and provide periodic financial reports to the Dean or other administrators as appropriate.
• Oversee departmental preparation for accreditation or other quality assurance processes as needed.
Oversight of the educational activities
• Provide general oversight for existing educational activities of the Department, including curricula for pre-doctoral and advanced education students.
• Annually review departmental curricula to ensure they are current and consistent with departmental and School goals and objectives.
• Work with the departmental faculty, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, and Educational Policy Committee to promote educational offerings that are consistent with Department and School goals and objectives.

Promote research and scholarship in the Department

• Maintain an active level of scholarship through contributions in teaching, research, mentoring students, publications and/or soliciting research grant support.
• Provide general oversight for research and scholarly activities in the Department, including funded research and training projects.
• Stimulate further research and scholarship by faculty in areas consistent with departmental activities, especially the development of primary care models.
• Work with the Associate Dean for Research to promote development and integration of departmental research and scholarly capacity within the School and University.
• Ensure that junior faculty in the Department have adequate mentoring to achieve their goal.

Oversee the clinical and service activities of the Department

• Provide general oversight for clinical educational programs of the Department, including those for pre-doctoral and advanced education students.
• Work with faculty, staff, and the Associate Dean for Patient Care and Clinical Services to optimize the clinical administrative activities of the Department.
• Work with other departments on development and coordination of clinical educational activities in the Department.
• Promote service activities and community partnerships, especially those that address disparities in access to health care, consistent with the missions of the Department, School, Health Sciences and University.
Serve as a dynamic advocate for the Department at all levels
• Engage faculty and staff in identifying areas of current need and future development for the Department.
• Prepare reports and make recommendations to the SOD's Administration on departmental concerns and needs.
• Plan and implement appropriate faculty and staff development activities for the Department.
• Represent the Department at meetings and other venues as appropriate.

Salary and appointment time:

The School of Dentistry offers highly competitive compensation packages, with academic rank and salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. Opportunities for intramural practice are available.

Application:

Electronic applications only will be accepted for this position. Please note that a curriculum vitae and letter of interest should be attached to the online application.

Five references will be requested at a future point in the search process and confidentiality will be maintained.

Review of applicants will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications
• DMD/DDS, PhD, or equivalent degree, with a broad scope of academic and clinical knowledge.
• Candidates must also be eligible for a tenured appointment at the rank of Associate or Full Professor
• Excellence in both communication and administrative skills.
• Experience leading, supervising, or managing the development of teams and programs.
• Experience working with external constituents, such as, but not limited to, university campus partners, external health systems, community dental clinics, tribal leaders.
• Superior communication skills and the ability to connect with diverse constituencies.
• Evidence of strong interpersonal skills, exemplified by the ability to work effectively and collaboratively with multiple groups.
• Evidence promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, and belonging in the workplace.

Preferred
• Leadership competencies such as: strategic, collaborative, collegial
• Sustained success as a funded researcher
• Experience in mentoring students and faculty
• Eligibility for Minnesota dental licensure
• Experience in managing clinical systems and operations
• Knowledge of predoctoral and allied education curriculum
• Experience advancing diversity initiatives
• Experience in managing budgets
• Experience or knowledge of interprofessional education and collaborative practice

About the Department

The University of Minnesota School of Dentistry is the state's only dental school and the only dental school in the northern tier of states between Wisconsin and the Pacific Northwest. We are a regional resource to five states for dental education, consulting services, patient treatment, and ongoing continuing dental education.

We educate dentists, dental specialists, dental therapists, dental hygienists, dental educators and research-scientists. We offer advanced degree programs in seven ADA-recognized specialties: endodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, prosthodontics and TMD and orofacial pain. We educate scholars in oral biology, dental hygiene and oral health for older adults. Dentists from other countries who wish to practice in the United States matriculate through our Program for Advanced Standing Students. Learners have the option to pursue a Masters in Public Health or a PhD alongside their DDS degree.

We are the only dental hygiene program in the state associated with a dental school. Offering programs at the baccalaureate and master of science level, our integrated program prepares oral health professionals to collaborate from their first day in the profession.

We became the first dental school in the nation to educate dental therapists in 2009. Dental therapists perform basic preventative services, drill and restore teeth for children and adults and remove primary teeth under the supervision of a licensed dentist. As of 2023, we have graduated 91 dental therapists from the program.

Our work affects virtually every person in Minnesota. We educate approximately 73% of the state's practicing dentists, 68% of licensed dental therapists, and 49% of dental hygiene educators. Our researchers develop and test restorative materials used by dentists around the world. We provide critical oral health care with more than 100,000 patient visits in our campus clinics and more than 16,000 patient visits at outreach sites in underserved communities throughout the state. We provide continuing dental education for 7,1000 practicing dental professionals each year.

The School of Dentistry is dedicated to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. Diverse teams, perspectives, and backgrounds create a strong and creative team that best serves the University's many communities, on campus and beyond. The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQIA+, women, veterans, and members of historically underrepresented communities are highly encouraged to apply.

For more information, please visit our website, dentistry.umn.edu

Benefits

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you'll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning. We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefits.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

This position also requires candidates to submit a one-page (500 word) diversity, equity, and inclusion statement that explains your contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion in your previous professional roles, and discusses the impact of your contributions made to your organization(s) and the community.

Additional documents may be attached after applications by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About the U of M

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).