Dean, Faculty of Dentistry
A Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry provides strategic direction and oversees the academic, research, and operational excellence of a dental program, leading one of an institution’s most respected health-science faculties. This is a sample job description from Excelon Associates that you can adapt as a template for your own hire.
What does a Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry do?
The Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry provides strategic direction, fosters a culture of innovation and inclusion, and oversees the academic and operational excellence of the Faculty of Dentistry. The role leads one of an institution’s most respected dental programs, known for academic rigor, impactful research, and a commitment to community health.
It develops a comprehensive vision aligned with the university’s strategic priorities and promotes interdisciplinary collaboration across faculties and external partners. It is a senior academic leadership role within the higher education and health space.
A DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) and a DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) are equivalent dental degrees. Dental education programs are accredited in the United States by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), and ensuring accreditation compliance is a core duty of the Dean.
What does the Dean oversee?
Key responsibilities of a Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry
- Develop and implement a comprehensive vision for the Faculty of Dentistry aligned with the university’s strategic priorities, and promote interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Guide the development and delivery of innovative academic programs, ensuring compliance with accreditation standards.
- Strengthen the faculty’s research capabilities by advancing high-impact initiatives and securing research funding.
- Enhance student learning through progressive teaching practices and curriculum development, and support recruitment and retention of a diverse student body.
- Lead recruitment, mentorship, and retention of top-tier faculty and staff, fostering a collaborative culture of professional development and equity.
- Build relationships with healthcare institutions, industry leaders, and government agencies, and advocate for oral health initiatives and community impact.
- Manage the faculty’s budget, resources, and infrastructure to ensure sustainable growth.
- Lead accreditation processes and uphold the highest standards of quality and compliance.
What qualifications does the role require?
- DDS, DMD, or equivalent degree in dentistry; a PhD or advanced academic credential is preferred.
- At least ten years of leadership experience in dental education, research, or healthcare administration, with a strong publication and grant funding history.
- Proven ability to manage complex budgets, resources, and organizational growth effectively.
- Exceptional leadership and strategic planning abilities, with strong interpersonal and communication skills for engaging diverse stakeholders.
- A visionary mindset with the ability to inspire innovation and lead transformative change.
Why is the Dean of Dentistry role important?
The Dean shapes the quality of a dental program, the research it produces, and its community health impact. Leadership over curriculum, accreditation, faculty, and clinical partnerships determines whether the school produces capable, well-trained dentists and advances oral health in its community.
Because the role spans academic administration, research leadership, and clinical practice, the strongest deans are accomplished clinician-scholars who can also manage a complex budget and an accreditation cycle. That combination is rare, which is what makes the search demanding.
A hiring note from Excelon
Dental deanships draw from a small pool: clinician-scholars with a dental degree, a research and grant record, and the administrative experience to run accreditation and budgets. Through our higher education and healthcare practices, we look for leaders who command faculty respect clinically and academically, since a dental school’s reputation rests heavily on who leads it.
The strongest deans are accomplished clinician-scholars who can also manage a complex budget and an accreditation cycle.
Related sample job descriptions
Dean, Faculty of Dentistry: frequently asked questions
What does a Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry do?
A Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry provides strategic direction and oversees the academic and operational excellence of a dental program. The role leads curriculum and research, ensures accreditation, recruits and mentors faculty, manages the budget, and builds clinical and community partnerships.
What qualifications does the role require?
This sample role requires a DDS, DMD, or equivalent dental degree (a PhD or advanced academic credential is preferred) and at least ten years of leadership experience in dental education, research, or healthcare administration, with a strong publication and grant record.
What is the difference between a DDS and a DMD?
DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) and DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) are equivalent degrees representing the same training and scope of practice. Schools award one or the other, and both qualify a graduate to practice dentistry.
Does the role include research leadership?
Yes. Beyond academic administration, the Dean strengthens the faculty’s research capabilities by advancing high-impact initiatives and securing research funding, alongside a personal record of scholarship.
Why is this role important?
The Dean shapes the quality of a dental program, the research it produces, and its community health impact. Leadership over curriculum, accreditation, faculty, and clinical partnerships determines whether the school produces capable, well-trained dentists.
Hiring a Dean for Your Faculty of Dentistry?
Excelon Associates recruits academic deans, health-science leaders, and senior administrators for universities across the United States and internationally through our higher education recruitment practice. Retained executive search since 2007, headquartered in Asheville, NC, with offices in Boca Raton and Delray Beach, FL.
More Sample Job Descriptions
Templates you can adapt for your own roles.