title: Characteristics Identified for Success by Restorative Dental Science Department Chairpersons.
abstract: The primary aim of this study was to determine the characteristics that current chairpersons in restorative dentistry, general dentistry, prosthodontics, and operative dentistry departments in U.S. dental schools feel are most relevant in contributing to their success. The secondary aim was to determine these individuals' rankings of the importance of a listed set of characteristics for them to be successful in their position. All 82 current chairs of the specified departments were invited to respond to an electronic survey. The survey first asked respondents to list the five most essential characteristics to serve as chair of a department and to rank those characteristics based on importance. Participants were next given a list of ten characteristics in the categories of management and leadership and, without being aware of the category of each individual item, asked to rank them in terms of importance for their success. A total of 39 chairpersons completed the survey (47.6% response rate; 83.3% male and 16.2% female). In section one, the respondents reported that leadership, vision, work ethic, integrity, communication, and organization were the most essential characteristics for their success. In section two, the respondents ranked the leadership characteristics as statistically more important than the management characteristics (p<0.0001) for being successful in their positions.
authors.affiliation: Dr. Wee is Section Chief of Maxillofacial Prosthodontics, Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System and Special Associate Professor in Prosthodontics, Department of Prosthodontics, Creighton University School of Dentistry; Mr. Weiss is a dental student, Creighton University School of Dentistry; Dr. Wichman is Director of Biostatistics, Office of Research and Compliance, Creighton University; Dr. Sukotjo is Associate Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry, University of Illinois at Chicago School of Dentistry; and Dr. Brundo is Dean Emeritus and Professor Emeritus, Department of Prosthodontics, Creighton University School of Dentistry. alvingwee@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Alvin G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Wee
authors.affiliation: Dr. Wee is Section Chief of Maxillofacial Prosthodontics, Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System and Special Associate Professor in Prosthodontics, Department of Prosthodontics, Creighton University School of Dentistry; Mr. Weiss is a dental student, Creighton University School of Dentistry; Dr. Wichman is Director of Biostatistics, Office of Research and Compliance, Creighton University; Dr. Sukotjo is Associate Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry, University of Illinois at Chicago School of Dentistry; and Dr. Brundo is Dean Emeritus and Professor Emeritus, Department of Prosthodontics, Creighton University School of Dentistry.
authors.forename: Robert O
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.affiliation: Dr. Wee is Section Chief of Maxillofacial Prosthodontics, Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System and Special Associate Professor in Prosthodontics, Department of Prosthodontics, Creighton University School of Dentistry; Mr. Weiss is a dental student, Creighton University School of Dentistry; Dr. Wichman is Director of Biostatistics, Office of Research and Compliance, Creighton University; Dr. Sukotjo is Associate Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry, University of Illinois at Chicago School of Dentistry; and Dr. Brundo is Dean Emeritus and Professor Emeritus, Department of Prosthodontics, Creighton University School of Dentistry.
authors.forename: Christopher S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Wichman
authors.affiliation: Dr. Wee is Section Chief of Maxillofacial Prosthodontics, Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System and Special Associate Professor in Prosthodontics, Department of Prosthodontics, Creighton University School of Dentistry; Mr. Weiss is a dental student, Creighton University School of Dentistry; Dr. Wichman is Director of Biostatistics, Office of Research and Compliance, Creighton University; Dr. Sukotjo is Associate Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry, University of Illinois at Chicago School of Dentistry; and Dr. Brundo is Dean Emeritus and Professor Emeritus, Department of Prosthodontics, Creighton University School of Dentistry.
authors.forename: Cortino
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sukotjo
authors.affiliation: Dr. Wee is Section Chief of Maxillofacial Prosthodontics, Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System and Special Associate Professor in Prosthodontics, Department of Prosthodontics, Creighton University School of Dentistry; Mr. Weiss is a dental student, Creighton University School of Dentistry; Dr. Wichman is Director of Biostatistics, Office of Research and Compliance, Creighton University; Dr. Sukotjo is Associate Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry, University of Illinois at Chicago School of Dentistry; and Dr. Brundo is Dean Emeritus and Professor Emeritus, Department of Prosthodontics, Creighton University School of Dentistry.
authors.forename: Gerald C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Brundo
mesh_terms: D000288:Administrative Personnel; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002605:Character; D003142:Communication; D003814:Dentistry, Operative / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D005792:General Practice, Dental / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007857:Leadership; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015279:Organizational Culture; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D011476:Prosthodontics / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D012575:Schools, Dental / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013192:Staff Development; D014481:United States
keywords: career planning; dental education; dental schools; faculty development; leadership; management