ties; career advancement; and lack of stress of running a practice, not to mention the reduced physical demands of active practice. Perhaps the greatest benefit, though, is the joy of working with students, helping them learn and grow while providing oral health- care access for underserved, marginalized and disadvantaged populations.
For Scott Stringer, DDS, an assistant professor at KCU College of Dental Medicine, the transition from full-time clinician to full-time faculty
member was relatively easy. Since his dental school graduation in 2013, he had been working in public health facilities where dental students completed their extern- ship rotations. As his career progressed, Dr. Stringer discovered working one on one with students was the most enjoyable part of his workday, which sparked an interest in turn- ing his career toward education. When the right opportunity appeared, he joined KCU in October 2024.
“I always preferred to work in group-practice environments, due to the team atmosphere they create,” Dr. Stringer says. “Being at KCU feels like the apex of that experience. It is a busy, vibrant, campus atmosphere, with stu- dents and staff crisscrossing at every turn.”
Wendy J. Weimer, DDS, an assistant clinical professor of restorative clinical services at UMKC School of Dentistry, echoes that sentiment. She
says one of the best things about working in education, and one she did not anticipate, is the camaraderie among faculty and staff.
“Being a solo practitioner was a lonely exis- tence,” Dr. Weimer says. “I had to seek out advice and professional companionship.”
After 20 years, she sold the practice she built from scratch and joined UMKC full time in September 2022. As someone who had al- ways been interested in a career in education, she found the transition from private prac- tice was remarkably simple and wishes she had become a faculty member sooner. To her, the benefits and lack of stress in academia have been priceless.
“As a business owner, even if we are not see- ing patients, there is always something that needs to be done,” Dr. Weimer says. “I find I do not miss practicing that much.”
Drs. Stringer and Weimer still get the chance to pick up a handpiece and provide patient care more often than many may assume. But now, rather than handling cases on their own, they are working alongside students, helping them learn and navigate challenges. Both faculty members agree, above all else, students are the best part about working in education.
“I go home every night with such a warm feeling of having made a significant dif- ference in someone’s life as well as for my profession,” Dr. Weimer says.
Naturally, transitioning into academia comes with its own learning curve, and many clinicians may not think they are qualified or adequately prepared to step into faculty roles. However, becoming a faculty member does not require a background in education or formal training.
“Just earning a dental degree and using it to make a living qualifies you to share your knowledge and expertise with those who want to follow in
your footsteps,” says Jeffery O. Moyer, DMD, an assistant professor at KCU College of Dental Medicine.
Dr. Moyer joined KCU part time in August 2023 after more than 41 years of solo pri- vate practice. Much like Drs. Stringer and Weimer, he enjoys the interaction with facul- ty and students on a regular basis. He works two to three days a week, serving as a course director, providing coverage in the clinic and simulation lab, and advising students. Work- ing in these roles has expanded his skillset while proving to be mentally stimulating.
“Because I don’t face the daily responsibilities of private practice anymore, I look forward to my days at the school, which allow me to still use my dental education and experience but in a totally different way,” Dr. Moyer says.
When dentists with varied educational and career expe- riences join the dental school environment, the benefit to students and their future
patients is immeasurable. For instance, Herbert Silva, DMD, FICD, an assistant pro- fessor and comprehensive care unit director at ATSU-MOSDOH, is a self-described “late bloomer” to the dental field.
Dr. Silva played soccer in college and, after graduation, spent 10 years in the Marine Corps, including serving in the Vietnam War where he flew 1,000 missions. He returned to the U.S. as a flight instructor, took some sciences courses, and ended up in dental school. He then started a private practice from scratch, which he ran with a partner for 38 years, while also being involved in profes- sional soccer. Shortly after he sold his dental practice, he joined ATSU-MOSDOH full time at the St. Louis Dental Center.
“I never thought that I would be doing this at my age,” Dr. Silva says. “I’m not an academic, I don’t have a master’s degree, I’m not a PhD. But my colleagues, those of us who were clinicians from private practice, we have something to contribute to our students’ education relative to our experience.”
With his passion for educating students, serving veterans and paying it forward, Dr. Silva has led ATSU-MOSDOH’s Smiles for Veterans outreach project since 2016. This project, which has served more than 650 veterans to date, provides full and partial dentures to veterans in need free of charge, while giving students clinical experience in removable prosthetic dentistry. Furthermore, Dr. Silva, along with other faculty members and students, participates in regular mis- sion trips to Dexter, Mo., to provide dental screenings, extractions and pre-prosthetic surgeries for veterans through Smiles of Hope Dental Clinic.
“One of the things that makes me continue doing what I’m doing is the fact that our graduates continue to see veterans in their private practices and/or when we go to Dexter,” Dr. Silva says. “Last time we were in Dexter for a one-day treatment, we set a
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