Successful Dental Faculty Training Program Returns
The Rutgers School of Dental Medicine relaunches its “From Practice to Preceptor Faculty Training Program,” preparing practicing dentists for academic careers
After two decades in private practice, Class of 2000 alumna Deanne Confalone often thought about teaching.
Without formal training, she hesitated – until she saw an ad for Rutgers School of Dental Medicine’s From Practice to Preceptor Faculty Training Program.
“I’m happy that they have this program,” she said. “Although dentistry is dentistry, learning how to teach that clinical experience properly takes a weight off, and I feel like this program is really helping to shape that part, giving confidence in an area I don’t have experience.”
Created in 2012 with a $2.5 million federal grant, the From Practice to Preceptor Faculty Training Program introduces practicing dentists to careers in academia to address shortages of dental educators.
According to American Dental Education Association, there are hundreds of open faculty positions at dental schools in the United States. Since its inception, about 45 dentists have completed the training, and a study by School of Dental Medicine researchers found that more than half of the participants went on to faculty positions, including at the school.
After a break in 2018, From Practice to Preceptor has been relaunched as a year-long program, offering exposure to all facets of dental education—from lectures to preclinic to clinic. Participants are paired with faculty mentors and, upon completion, may join the school as volunteer faculty.
“We help them understand what being a faculty is all about,” said Kim Fenesy, vice dean of the school, “and the idea is to create an interest in becoming dental educators.”
Even during its hiatus, the interest in the program never fully stopped.
“People were calling to see if the program was ongoing,” said Irma Fernandes, a program support specialist who helps plan for From Practice to Preceptor along with Fenesy and her team. “We got wonderful people out of it. Several program graduates started as part-time volunteers and ended up getting paid appointments because they enjoyed the environment and being with students, and students loved them.”
Assistant Professor of Restorative Dentistry Donald Lapine is an example of just that.
From Practice to Preceptor exposed me to life in academia, and without it, I would not have transitioned to academic dentistry.
Donald Lapine
Assistant Professor of Restorative Dentistry, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine
The program “didn’t just spark my interest in academia – it changed my career trajectory,” said Lapine, who is now a full-time faculty and a 2019 Excellence in Teaching Award recipient. “FP2P exposed me to life in academia, and without it, I would not have transitioned to academic dentistry.”
Following in Lapine’s footsteps this year is Mohamed Mansour, who earned his dental degree at the University of Illinois Chicago and has practiced in New Jersey and Pennsylvania ever since.
Teaching, Mansour said, was always at the back of his mind.
“Our job is very much about teaching – every day you're teaching patients; so, I've always had an interest, but I just never knew how to get into it,” he said.
The program offered Mansour a pathway.
“It shows you all facets of the school and your role as an educator before getting into it,” he said.
Through the program, Mansour has toured the school from clinics to sterilization, gaining a clearer picture of how an academic dental center operates.
“It's nice to be in a structured program that teaches us all these things,” he said. “I truly feel like [the program] accelerates the learning and instills confidence in you to teach.”
That overview helped participants recognize there is an opportunity in academia.
“There are many roles that need to be filled in the school, whether it be an administrative, clinical, or didactic role,” said Confalone. “The program exposes us to all the different things, and it's really fun. I look forward to coming here. No one should be afraid to come and test the water because the support that we're given by the people who put the program together is tremendous.”
The From Practice to Preceptor application will reopen in May and will be posted here.
