2 From the Editor ORTHO TRIBUNE | NOv./DEC. 2009 ORTHO TRIBUNE The World’s Orthodontic Newspaper · U.S. Edition Orthodontic education needs ‘fresh young blood’ By Dennis J. Tartakow, DMD, MEd, PhD, Editor in Chief Publisher & Chairman Torsten Oemus t.oemus@dental-tribune.com Vice President Global Sales Peter Witteczek p.witteczek@dental-tribune.com Chief Operating Officer Eric Seid, e.seid@dental-tribune.com Group Editor & Designer Robin Goodman r.goodman@dental-tribune.com Editor in Chief Ortho Tribune Prof. Dennis Tartakow d.tartakow@dental-tribune.com International Editor Ortho Tribune Dr. Reiner Oemus r.oemus@dental-tribune.com Managing Editor/Designer Ortho Tribune & Show Dailies Kristine Colker k.colker@dental-tribune.com Managing Editor/Designer Implant & Endo Tribunes Sierra Rendon s.rendon@dental-tribune.com Online Editor Fred Michmershuizen f.michmershuizen@dental-tribune.com Product & Account Manager Humberto Estrada h.estrada@dental-tribune.com Product & Account Manager Mark Eisen, m.eisen@dental-tribune.com Marketing Manager Anna Wlodarczyk a.wlodarczyk@dental-tribune.com Marketing & Sales Assistant Lorrie Young, l.young@dental-tribune.com C.E. Manager Julia Wehkamp j.wehkamp@dtamerica.com Dental Tribune America, LLC 213 West 35th Street, Suite 801 New York, NY 10001 Phone: (212) 244-7181, Fax: (212) 244-7185 ‘If education and research can become a reasonable choice to compete with clinical practice as a career option, the specialty will maintain its high standards.’ these issues would ever materialize; most postgraduate orthodontic programs were not in short supply of full-time faculty members. However, since the 1990s, increased apprehension for the future of academic orthodontics has surfaced regarding these unfilled position vacancies across the country. Besides the natural progression of age, sickness or retirement, there are reasons why many seasoned faculty members are leaving academics for clinical practice; it has to do with money and economics. Newly graduated orthodontists have been groomed to replace older, retiring faculty members but not many choose academe over clinical practice; they have tremendous financial debts from years of education that just about precludes consideration for a career in education. In addition to, and as a result of, these problems facing the specialty of orthodontics, there are social justice implications of virtue ethics and community obligation that may begin to emerge. The most important of these human rights possibilities include: (a) poorly trained O rthodontic education may be in a state of flux with a daunting outlook for the future. Recruitment, retention and increased faculty vacancies of full-time, board-certified faculty members in postgraduate orthodontic programs are issues of critical importance when perceived through the lens of educational leadership and social justice. Historically, these issues have been emergent problems in dental education since the early 1990s; they have the potential of impacting people, communities and society as well. For more than two decades, orthodontic programs have been losing full-time faculty members without new orthodontists filling their positions. Prior to 1990, there was neither concern for the future of academic orthodontics nor worry that orthodontic graduates who may not serve the public with the expertise that is expected, (b) reduced dental services currently provided to the community from dental school clinics and off-campus outreach facilities, and (c) diminished health care for individuals who rely upon universities and hospitals for their personal medical and dental needs. Orthodontic education is in need of addressing full-time faculty shortages with “fresh young blood” — it is a dilemma that resonates with inadequacies and consequences. Student financial obligations make it difficult, if not impossible, to attract young doctors to consider a career in education; the salary differential alone makes academe a non-competitive issue with clinical practice taking into consideration debt service, starting a family, beginning life after school, etc. Survival of the specialty is at stake. Transformative thinking and decision-making is most important for safeguarding tomorrow’s orthodontists and orthodontic leaders. The AAO leadership is taking the attitude of carpe diem — seize the day — and making the changes that are necessary for reducing full-time faculty vacancy positions. If education and research can become a reasonable choice to compete with clinical practice as a career option, the specialty will maintain its high standards and continue to graduate well-educated orthodontists — the essence of a force for change. OT Published by Dental Tribune America © 2009, Dental Tribune International GmbH. All rights reserved. Dental Tribune makes every effort to report clinical information and manufacturer’s product news accurately, but cannot assume responsibility for the validity of product claims, or for typographical errors. The publishers also do not assume responsibility for product names or claims, or statements made by advertisers. Opinions expressed by authors are their own and may not reflect those of Dental Tribune International. f OT page 1 According to SCL, families who turn to it for assistance cannot afford the average cost of braces for their children. With the current economic downturn, more families now qualify for SCL due to a change in the program’s financial guidelines, which include a broader spectrum of low-income families. SCL is actively seeking qualified applicants in Missouri, Minnesota, Kentucky, Virginia, Florida, San AD Diego, Colorado, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Illinois, Philadelphia, Kansas, Texas and Long Island, N.Y. SCL plans to expand into more states and regions in 2010. The organization was founded in 1997, and since then it has assisted more than 1,200 patients. Orthodontists who wish to get involved or get more information are invited to contact the organization at (888) 9003554, info@smileschangelives.org, www.smileschangelives.org. OT OT Corrections Ortho Tribune strives to maintain the utmost accuracy in its news and clinical reports. If you find a factual error or content that requires clarification, please report the details to Managing Editor Kristine Colker at k.colker@dental-tribune.com. OT Editorial Advisory Board Jay Bowman, DMD, MSD (Journalism & Education) Robert Boyd, DDS, MEd (Periodontics & Education) Earl Broker, DDS (T.M.D. & Orofacial Pain) Tarek El-Baily, BDS, MS, MS, PhD (Research, Bioengineering & Education) Donald Giddon, DMD, PhD (Psychology & Education) Donald Machen, DMD, MSD, MD, JD, MBA (Medicine, Law & Business) James Mah, DDS, MSc, MRCD, DMSc (Craniofacial Imaging & Education) Richard Masella, DMD (Education) Malcolm Meister, DDS, MSM, JD (Law & Education) Harold Middleberg, DDS (Practice Management) Elliott Moskowitz, DDS, MSd (Journalism & Education) James Mulick, DDS, MSD (Craniofacial Research & Education) Ravindra Nanda, BDS, MDS, PhD (Biomechanics & Education) Edward O’Neil, MD (Internal Medicine) Donald Picard, DDS, MS (Accounting) Howard Sacks, DMD (Orthodontics) Glenn Sameshima, DDS, PhD (Research & Education) Daniel Sarya, DDS, MPH (Public Health) Keith Sherwood, DDS (Oral Surgery) James Souers, DDS (Orthodontics) Gregg Tartakow, DMD (Orthodontics) & Ortho Tribune Associate Editor Image courtesy of Dr. Earl Broker.