The Global Footprint of Oral Medicine Specialists: The University of Pennsylvania Experience

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the global footprint of oral medicine specialists who graduated from the University of Pennsylvania oral medicine residency program. In 2016, a cross-sectional electronic survey was distributed to 53 graduates of that program, asking about their current geographical location and professional status. Of those 53 graduates, 23 (43%) completed the survey with 22 reporting their current location and 21 reporting their current professional status. The results showed that 17 graduates were located within the U.S., and five were located internationally. Twelve graduates were in full-time academic positions, three were in part-time academic positions/part-time private practice, three were in full-time private practice, two were in postdoctoral training programs, and one was not employed. This study found that oral medicine specialists trained at the University of Pennsylvania were located both domestically and internationally. The majority held faculty positions at academic institutions with fewer involved in private practice. This program may thus be considered a source of future dental academicians.

Employment Type and Career Satisfaction Among Oral Medicine Specialists

“…Oral medicine specialists hold academic positions in universities and academic medical centers and are directly involved in patient care, education, and research throughout the world 8 , 9 . Oral medicine clinics are primarily based in dental schools, teaching hospitals, and other academic institutions, with a minority in private practice settings 10 , 11 .…”

“…Oral medicine clinics are primarily based in dental schools, teaching hospitals, and other academic institutions, with a minority in private practice settings 10 , 11 . Stoopler et al's study of graduates (n=21) of the postdoctoral oral medicine residency training program at the University of Pennsylvania found that 57% had full‐time academic positions, 14% were in part‐time academic positions/part‐time private practice, and 14% were in full‐time private practice 9 …”

American Academy of Oral Medicine: 75 years of bringing medicine and dentistry back together

“…The 2020 Fall meeting will be held at the University of Pennsylvania, home to one of the oldest training programs in oral medicine, established over 50 years ago. 10 The Academy's annual and semiannual meetings support continuing competence in oral medicine practice and outreach to the broader dental and medical community.…”