Assistant, Associate or Professor Division of Comprehensive Care (Team Leader)University of Kentucky

D.M.D or D.D.S. degree

A minimum of two years’ experience in the practice of general dentistry (preferably private practice)

Eligible for licensure in the state of Kentucky

The University of Kentucky College of Dentistry is seeking applications for a non-tenure-track position in the Division of Comprehensive Care, Department of Oral Health Practice. Exceptional benefits are provided for this position which can be reviewed at the following link: Insurance and retirement benefits | Human Resources. The anticipated start date for this assignment is July 1, 2026.

The primary responsibilities will be to manage a team of students and their patients in the Student Dental Practice Clinic for the purpose of maintaining efficiency and productivity while maintaining high standards of patient care and quality education. This position requires a working relationship with clinical faculty, staff, students and patients. Scholarly activities and faculty development are also included as a faculty member’s responsibility.

Suggested Responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

1. Assumes responsibility for all patients assigned to the Team.

2. Develops the management skills of students on the Team. Provides general practice role model for the student dentist.

3. Participates in clinical case presentation seminars for the students on the Team. Ensures the satisfaction of the patients treated by the Team.

4. Provides clinical teaching and supervises the continuity of patient care.

5. Assigns patients to students on the Team in a manner consistent with patient needs, student ability, and sectional objectives.

6. Supervises treatment of patients with complex needs and is the final decision-maker in complex cases after necessary consultations.

7. Serves as a liaison between divisions to ensure that cooperation and coordination occur.

8. Participates in scholarly activities generally associated with the clinical care rendered by the Team.

9. Functions as a full-time member of the Department of Oral Health Practice, College of Dentistry.

10. Serve as a course director for one of the practice management courses.

11. Evaluate competency assessments.

12. Conduct mentoring sessions with 2nd, 3rd and 4th year students.

13. Conduct Quality Assurance initiatives including:

a. chart audits

b. missing charges

c. missing progress notes

d. unapproved treatment

e. unapproved chart forms

f. treatment evaluations

• DMD or DDS degree

• Eligible for licensure in the state of Kentucky

• A minimum of two years’ experience in the practice of general dentistry or equivalent experience in an educational institution with a focus on comprehensive care

• Knowledge of Dental Practice Management (with a particular focus on electronic health records) and experience with Digital Dentistry methodology and practice

Distribution of effort:

Teaching & Patient Care with the Team 87%
Service 10%
Professional Development 3%
Administration 0%
Total 100%

Appointment/Promotion Criteria:

N/A – Rank of Associate or Above

• DMD/DDS or other professional clinical degree, with important commitment to clinical service and academic community.

• Evidence of or potential for a high level of clinical competence in a clinical area and use of innovative approaches, technologies, instrumentation, or systems of patient care in a clinical discipline.

• Evidence of or potential for recognition by peers and patients as an excellent clinician.

• Evidence of or potential for developing a leadership role in a clinical division or discipline and active participation in local, regional, or national professional clinical organizations.

• Evidence of or potential for recognition by dental students, residents, fellows, continuing dental education attendees, affiliated health professionals, and peers for excellence in clinical teaching.

• Evidence of or potential for recognition by dental students, residents, fellows, continuing dental education attendees, affiliated health professionals, and peers for excellence in clinical teaching.

• Provides service to the college, university academic community, and/or profession on committees, boards, programs, or centers.

• Development of greater than local reputation in clinical practice and emerging reputation as an authority in a clinical field.

• Continuing evidence of peer recognition as an excellent clinical teacher at regional level.

• Demonstrated creative contributions to the instructional and clinical service programs of the University, and/or has scholarly activities of important or original clinical investigations appropriate for the research allocation described on the individual’s DOE.

• Outstanding service as associate professor at UKCD (or its equivalent elsewhere) with important accomplishments as clinician and teacher, as well as service to academic community supported through contracts, grants or clinical income.

• Evidence of advancement of skills/knowledge in the field as recognized by peers, programs, certification or advanced degree(s).*

• Significant leadership role in provision of dental health care.

• Development of national reputation for excellence in clinical practice, and as an authority in a clinical field.

• Established recognition as an outstanding clinical teacher beyond regional level.

• Scholarly activities of important and original clinical investigations appropriate for the research allocation described on the individual’s DOE.

* In a discipline that aligns with the needs of the Department or College.

These guidelines are to be used in conjunction with the definitions and examples of scholarship and excellence, and the Statements of Evidence provided in the College of Dentistry Appointment, Promotion, and Tenure procedures.

The University of Kentucky’s Statement on Benefits: Employment at UK is subject to fund availability and comes with comprehensive rewards, focusing on your total well-being and career development, with leadership striving to provide a strong work-life integration. The university generously contributes to employees’ retirement plans, medical coverage, and life insurance. In addition, UK offers optional benefits such as dental and vision insurance, additional retirement plans and much more. To learn more about these benefits, please visit: https://hr.uky.edu/employment/our-benefits.

Salary and rank will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Inquiries regarding the position may be submitted via email to Dr. Kara Hourdas, Assistant Professor, and Division Chief of Comprehensive Care Dentistry at kbhour2@uky.edu. Please note that, to be considered an applicant for this position, you must submit an application via UK’s online employment system. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Interested applicants should submit a UK application, in addition to:
- Letter of interest
- Curriculum vitae
- Names and contact information for three references when prompted in the application.

Knowledge of Dental Practice Management

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status or whether the person is a smoker or nonsmoker, as long as the person complies with University regulation concerning smoking.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.