Inspiring dental students to pursue careers in academia

The majority of dental students plan to enter practice after completing their dental education. But an effort supported by the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) is inspiring some students to take a different path.

ADEA, the only national organization representing academic dentistry, works to spark the interest of students at UConn and across the country to explore career paths in academia. Although academic dentistry is not part of the core dental curriculum, there are several elective experiences that UConn offers students to provide a foray into academic dentistry. The UConn chapter of ADEA also provides students with opportunities to learn about pathways related to part-time or full-time academic careers in dentistry.

Jacob Molgano, a third-year student, is the president of the UConn ADEA chapter.

“As a member and president, I was able to connect with my classmates and faculty on a deeper and more personal level,” says Molgano. “ADEA membership has given me the opportunity to develop my leadership skills and grow as a dental professional.”

Molgano called his time as president a “rewarding experience.”

“As someone interested in pursuing an academic career in the future, joining ADEA was a no-brainer as its mission is focused on academia and the delivery of dental education.”

Other members of the UConn branch executive board include Vice President Mychael McKeever, a second-year student, Secretary Logan Zhang, a third-year student, Dental Student Program Chair John Bruppacher, a third-year student, and Literature Review Chair Tyler Deitelbaum, second year student.

“The UConn chapter of ADEA is a springboard to get people interested in the organization,” says Dr. Eric Bernstein, associate dean for academic affairs. “Those who have a heightened level of interest tend to engage and may explore opportunities such as scholarship for an academic career or becoming involved in national leadership.”

Among other activities and programs, the branch has hosted “Why I Teach” events with faculty and implemented a dental student ambassador program to spread information about dental careers to high school students from historically underrepresented or marginalized groups.

One of the students who became actively involved at the national level is fourth-year Elise Estra. Estra was elected National Chair of the ADEA Council of Students, Residents and Fellows (ADEA COSRF) at the 2022 ADEA Annual Meeting. As one of ADEA’s seven councils, the ADEA COSRF represents predoctoral, advanced dental training and allied dental students medicine—serving as a national voice for all students, residents, and fellows on the issues that shape the present and future of dental education.

“It was amazing,” Estra says of her position as national chairman. “I’ll be the first to admit that it’s a lot of work—with a lot of evening and weekend time—but I’m so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with COSRF, the administrative boards of other ADEA boards, and the ADEA staff. I have made some of my closest friends and contacts through ADEA. “

“Since starting this new position, I have learned a lot about managing ADEA and the processes involved in dictating change. This is the biggest leadership position I’ve had and I’m getting more comfortable prioritizing and delegating tasks, speaking and leading larger groups and meetings.”

UConn faculty also hold positions in the national ADEA organization. Bernstein serves as chair of the ADEA Faculty Council. Dr. Stephen Lepowski, Dean of the School of Dentistry, is a member of the ADEA Deans Council. In addition, Dr. Douglas Peterson, professor emeritus of oral medicine, along with Bernstein, are the school’s liaisons to ADEA’s national Academic Dental Career Fellowship Program (ADCFP). The ADCFP is a one-year elective experience in which interested students, in collaboration with faculty mentors, have the opportunity to explore academic experiences in didactic and clinical teaching as well as research. In addition, students may interview health professional faculty and administrators at UConn, as well as nationally and internationally, depending on the students’ career interests, to obtain additional information about academic careers. A record nine UConn students are participating in the ADCFP program this year.

“The opportunities provided to UConn dental students through ADEA represent exceptional experiences for them to explore their career passions in academic dentistry,” says Peterson. “Faculty working with these students also value helping to develop the next generation of academic leaders in the profession.”

Students work with Bernstein and Peterson, along with other faculty mentors, meeting regularly and participating in activities aimed at exploring careers in academia. Tyler James, a third-year student and immediate past president of the UConn branch, is currently an associate and student coordinator of the scholarship program. James felt that the faculty interviews she conducted during her fellowship were the most rewarding, calling each interview “incredibly insightful, inspiring and unique.”

“As a woman of color hoping to pursue a career in academic dentistry, I wanted to interview women and/or individuals from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups who are current or past dental faculty at all levels,” says James . “I had the pleasure of interviewing 11 female faculty members at seven different academic institutions in person or online.”

“I learned that choosing a career in dental academia can provide a distinctive work-life balance that contrasts with private practice. Teaching allows faculty to learn the latest developments in dentistry, generate new knowledge through research, and still provide care for their patients.’

With ADEA’s help to inspire the next generation of academic dentists, students look ahead to the future.

“After residency, I hope to hold a junior teaching position in a dental school,” says Estra. “I would love to see patients, teach, and do some educational or clinical research—if possible to do it all! I think you have to be flexible in academics and I’m very willing to do that. I hope to continue to be involved in ADEA as well, or the Faculty Council, or some other way.”