Faculty shortages in dental schools may be threatening institutional stability and student success, underscoring the need for targeted retention strategies. The study was published recently in the Journal of Dental Education.
Strategies such as inclusive cultures, fair compensation, and leadership opportunities may address this challenge, according to the review.
“The shortage of dental faculty in US dental schools has emerged as a critical concern, undermining institutions’ ability to sustain optimal faculty-to-student ratios and ensure educational excellence,” wrote the authors, led by Dr. Salwa Mekled of the Temple University Kornberg School of Dental Medicine in Philadelphia (J Dent Educ, January 2, 2026).
Using data from the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Faculty Census Report, the review examined U.S. workforce trends, institutional climate surveys, and recent literature to identify barriers to faculty retention in academic dentistry. There was a sharp rise in faculty vacancies in 2022 to 2023, with 645 unfilled positions compared with 383 in 2018 to 2019.
Source: The looming threat facing academic dentistry / DrBicuspid.com