Mentorship Program for Prospective Educators
Are you considering a career in academia but don't know if it is the right move or where to begin? The AAE Mentor Program: For Prospective Educators is your go-to resource to find an educator who fits your unique background and/or who teaches in your area and can answer your questions. Access the list of endodontic educators to connect with an endodontic educator today!
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Academic Careers in Endodontics Brochure
The brochure is an excellent resource for current and potential educators. It provides comprehensive information on the tangible and intangible benefits of an academic career. Download the brochure to learn more about a career in endodontics.
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Top Five Reasons to be an Educator
How do the rewards of going into academics compare to the rewards of other professional careers? The AAE Educational Affairs Committee has identified the top five reasons why you should consider a career in education!
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The Tale of an Educator
By James C. Kulild, D.D.S., M.S.
Many years ago, while serving in the U.S. Army Dental Corps in Heidelberg, Germany, I had the great opportunity to be reassigned back to the United States and serve as the program director for the advanced specialty education program in endodontics at Fort Gordon, Ga. I could not believe my good fortune that I was being entrusted with the futures of great young residents who I would help facilitate in their journey toward certification in endodontics, and hopefully, eventual certification by the American Board of Endodontics. MORE
My entry into graduate endodontic dental education was all that I knew it could be and more. Not only was I able to teach dental residents, I was able to learn and grow in ways that I had never imagined. The residency program was truly a team of dedicated dental health care professionals striving to learn and apply that learning directly to clinical skills, which added to the health of the patients we served. I still have great relationships with those Army residents that I had the honor to lead during those years. Spending two years with residents allows for a positive and nurturing learning environment, which can lead to lifetime relationships. There is such great value in putting your life's energies into an environment, which can lead to such great lasting rewards—both for you and or the residents you help along the way.
Later, I was lucky enough to be able to serve as dean and commandant of the U.S. Army Academy of Health Sciences, the largest school of allied health sciences in the world. However, I never encountered that same sense of value that I had while serving as program director. It was impossible to establish relationships with 35,000 students who graduated every year from AHS. It was a great job but something was missing.
Upon my retirement from the U.S. Army, I had another great opportunity at my alma mater. The University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry was establishing an advanced specialty education program in endodontics, and I was offered the opportunity to start their new program. My answer was obviously "yes!" It has been a great adventure establishing the program, building the state-of-art clinic and accepting the first residents into the program. Five years has passed since the first residents started the program and I never second guessed my decision to dive into postgraduate endodontics.
Teaching postgraduate students has incredible value—they are intelligent, motivated, full of integrity and hope for the future. How can an endodontist find a better environment to serve their specialty and their patients? I would suggest it could well be in postgraduate education.
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What Does the AAE do for Educators?
The AAE provides resources and programs for endodontic educators within the Members section.
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Recruitment Awards/Grants
Learn more about awards and grants available for those interested in an academic career.
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Job Search Resources
The AAE Journal of Endodontics Associate Registry and the online Career Center are two valuable resources for finding available faculty positions or placing a positions wanted advertisement. Placement fees are waived for educators placing a print or online ad.
The American Dental Education Association's DentalEdJobs, a new online job board, is another resource for faculty job searches. ADEA continues to offer classified advertising in the print edition of the Journal of Dental Education and in the Bulletin of Dental Education Online.
Learn more about preparing for your interview once you’ve applied for a job and landed that interview and how to effectively negotiate a contract!
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Accredited Programs
Learn more about Advanced Specialty Programs in Endodontics accredited by the ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation.
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Approved ADA Accreditation Standards for Advanced Specialty Education Programs in Endodontics
Access the current Standards approved by the ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation. If you have any questions please contact Jill Sahagian, education coordinator, at jsahagian@aae.org, or 800/872-3636, ext. 3034.
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Academic Careers in Endodontics Video
The American Dental Education Association released the Academic Careers in Dentistry video in fall 2003. This video is supported by the AAE and several specialties, and other associations. As part of ADEA’s ongoing efforts to promote academic careers in dental education, this video was produced to generate interest and provide information for those interested in pursuing a career in dental education.
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