The future of orthodontics depends on our commitment to invest in the best educators.
The AAO and AAO Foundation have launched For the Future - a campaign to invest in fellowships that will advance our specialty.
- Faculty members at orthodontic programs across the country are aging, with nearly half over age 60.
- Crushing student debt prevents many of the brightest from pursuing a full-time academic career, threatening the future of our profession.
The Full-Time Faculty Fellowship is a two-year, $30,000 fellowship designed to supplement the salaries of those dedicated to orthodontic academics. This fellowship is our way of ensuring that the future of orthodontics is led by the most qualified and passionate professionals.
Your contribution will be matched dollar-for-dollar to create a fund to award three two-year fellowships. This important investment will advance the specialty by securing the very best faculty for the future.
The Issue
The recruitment and retention of faculty to train future dental health professionals in the orthodontic specialty is critical to address a projected shortfall.
- An aging faculty creates a scenario that is untenable for the continued advancement of orthodontics.
- The challenge for talented new faculty to enter into academics full-time is exacerbated by student debt that guides them to private or corporate practice.
FOR THE FUTURE is an investment in the specialty, an investment int he future and an investment in every orthodontist.
The Facts
The Full-time Faculty Fellowship program, initiated in 2008 by AAO has been extremely successful and has had a tremendously positive impact on orthodontic education.
- 87.5% of awardees remain in academia and nearly 100% remain active in AAO work including committees, subcommittees, task forces, council leadership and presenting at AAO conferences.
- Fellows have matriculated to be department chairs, program directors and clinic directors.
Leadership Committee: Dr. Lili Horton, Dr. Neal Kravitz, Dr. David Sarver and Dr. Richard Williams