Innovation in Faculty Development: Impact on Faculty Retention and Attitudes About Health Education Career Pathways

Evidence suggests that Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) dentists who have teaching and educational activities as part of their responsibilities are more satisfied and more likely to consider longer-term commitments within FQHCs. Nationally there is a shortage of faculty and dentists within dental schools and FQHCs, negatively impacting dental and oral health education. The Lutheran HealthCare Department of Dental Medicine (LHC) sponsors the largest US dental residency program- training 350+ residents per year and involving over 500 faculty members at over 100 community health centers. . LHC initiated the Pathways Program to train experienced clinicians as educators. The program is a collaborative effort between LHC, Academy for Academic Leadership (AAL), University of Pacific Dugoni School of Dentistry, and Gladys L. Benerd School of Education. The Pathways Program is a three-stage faculty development continuum culminating in a Masters of Arts in Education with a concentration in Health Sciences Education. The program stages include 1) Dental Educator Fellowship 2) Certificate in Dental Education, and 3) Master of Arts in Education. Each stage educates clinicians in a step-wise manner and prepares the participants to be more effective professors, curriculum directors, and academic leaders. The program curriculum is designed to be completed within one year, with minimal time away from clinic. Program outcomes have been overwhelmingly positive with qualitative assessments showing high participant satisfaction.  Data suggests that ongoing faculty development activities are critical to professional development of FQHC dentists, leading to additional years of commitment to safety net organizations and satisfaction with a continued career in healthcare education and residency training.