A career in dental education

For many oral health professionals, an academic career is both appealing and meaningful because it provides the opportunity to impart professional knowledge and skills to the next generation of oral health professionals. An academic career combines clinical skills development with the rewards of teaching others. This chapter will provide the background and context for choosing an academic career, with its many options for development and professional satisfaction. The intention is to make the academic career path more transparent and understandable as an additional choice for any oral health professional. This also entails describing the opportunities to take on leadership and management roles such as becoming a dental Dean or Head of School.