Penn Dental School Dean Faces Criticism Amid Reappointment Process

Concerns Over Educational Quality and Faculty Relations

According to a recent article published on The Daily Pennsylvanian website by Ella Sohn, Mark Wolff, the dean of the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Dental Medicine, is facing scrutiny as his reappointment looms. The article reports that nearly a dozen current and former faculty members have raised concerns about the declining quality of education under Wolff’s leadership since he assumed the role in July 2018.

Changes in Clinical Instruction and Enrollment

The report highlights significant changes implemented during Wolff’s tenure, including a restructuring of clinical instruction groups and an increase in overall graduating class size. The number of clinical instruction groups, known as primary care units (PCUs), was reduced from 12 to 6, resulting in larger group sizes of around 60 students each. This change has reportedly led to concerns about reduced individual attention for students.

Penn’s Dental School Faces Retaliation Allegations

One faculty member with over a decade of experience at the school stated, “Not all students are made alike. Some need more attention, some need less attention. And with groups that are so large, like it is now, it is fairly difficult to give them that attention.”

Enrollment Growth and Resource Concerns

The article reports that enrollment at the Dental School has increased by 15% over the past six years, with the total number of DMD students rising from 584 in 2018 to 724 in the 2023-24 academic year. Some faculty members expressed concern that this growth has not been matched with adequate resources and teaching staff.

A dental specialist quoted in the article said, “There’s an overabundance of students, way too many students accepted … without really the true amount of faculty needed to support our mission.”

Allegations of Retaliation and Low Faculty Morale

The Daily Pennsylvanian’s report includes allegations from some faculty members of a reluctance to speak out against policies due to fear of retaliation. One former part-time clinical associate, Biju Paul, claimed that his contract was not renewed after he raised concerns about faculty shortages to administrators.

Pioneering Stem Cell Approach for Nerve Repair in Craniofacial Region

Positive Initiatives and Support

Despite the criticisms, the article also highlights some positive aspects of Wolff’s tenure. The dean has been credited with efforts to open dental care centers for patients with disabilities and expanding student research opportunities. Alyssa Greenberger, president of the Penn Dental Medicine Alumni Society, praised Wolff as an “empathetic visionary” whose ideas are helping keep Penn at the forefront of dental education.

Reappointment Process Underway

The University has established a consultative committee to advise on Wolff’s potential reappointment, with a recommendation expected by the start of the fall semester. The committee, chaired by Sara Bachman, Dean of the School of Policy & Practice, has been gathering input from the Dental School community.

As the reappointment decision approaches, the Daily Pennsylvanian reports that opinions within the school remain divided. The outcome of this process could have significant implications for the future direction of Penn’s School of Dental Medicine.