Jack Dillenberg, DDS, MPH – Inaugural Dean A.T. Still University Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health Leadership for the Dental Team and Beyond

Change is good. You go first.

“There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in it success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things – because the innovator has for enemies all those who have done well under the old conditions …. but only lukewarm defenders in those who may do well under the new.” Niccolo Machiavelli

Concepts of Leadership “ I used to think that running an organization was equivalent to conducting a symphony orchestra. But I don’t think that’s quite it; it’s more like jazz. There is more improvisation.” Warren Bennis

Why a new Dental School ? − Few graduates going to work in CHCs and IHS − Few graduates trained in Public Health − Need for Oral Health Leadership nationally A New Dental School – Why? What?

Leadership = Collaboration Decisions by consensus Benevolent “Dictatorship” – top down No Tenure – two year contracts No traditional Department Chairs − Co-directors

A New Dental School Model Was Needed An innovative Vision was required Had to start with a Dean – what leadership style/skills needed? − Translate the vision into reality − Clear sense of direction − Ethical − Effective communicator

Needed to nurture students and provide Community service Condense/Modularize Basic Sciences – save time and money Initiate Simulation early Integrate technology – lap tops, etc. Innovative Curriculum – First Year

Student 4th Year Rotations “Real World Community Dental Experience” − Partnerships with Community Health Centers − 60 sites throughout United States − Serve underserved in Whole Person Health Environment − Inter Professional Experience

Inscription House Clinic - Shonto, AZ “Being someone that has always lived near a city I always wondered if I would feel right at home in a place that is more than miles from the nearest town. I found that working in a community like this is an actual possibility for me.”

Sage Memorial Hospital Ganado, AZ Hopi Health Care Clinic, Polaca, AZ “So many things I had learned over the last 3 years finally congealed when I was up there. Never lose that rotation site. Culturally and professionally it provides a powerful, meaningful place to work. “

Collaboration at its Best!

Student Projects: Planned, Implemented, Evaluation Policy experience – Organized Dentistry, Legislature Develops Confidence, Public Speaking skills and real world community issues Dentistry in The Community

180 dental students 50 dental hygiene students 33 volunteer pediatric and general dentists Over 50 volunteers from the community 356 children were treated in 4 hours Give Kids A Smile

ASDOH Admissions (by class)

Leader of the Future!

Leadership through Public Health/Behavioral Health Certificate in Public Health Masters in Public Health Work with Social Workers on Clinic floor

Good Leadership Requires Courage and Discipline!

Jack’s Suggestions for Good Leadership 1. Work at something you enjoy and that’s worthy of your time and talent. 2. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully. 3. Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know. 4. Be forgiving of yourself and others. 5. Be generous.

Jack’s Suggestions for Good Leadership 6. Have a grateful heart. 7. Persistence, persistence, persistence. 8. Be loyal. 9. Be honest. 10. Be bold and courageous. When you look back on your life, you’ll regret the things you didn’t do more than the ones you did.

Hence it is proved..... Every leader has followers

Success doesn’t bring happiness, happiness brings success! - Albert Schweitzer

Each year over 5 million people visit the Grand Canyon − 95% of those visitors arrive in a bus, a train or a car, go to the rim, are appropriately impressed, buy a souvenir and leave within 2 ½ hours

5% of those visitors actually make a trip below the rim

Only 1% ever make the effort to go to the river and discover that it is a pretty spectacular place to be

We need more 1%ers Those who are willing to go where 99% of the dentists don’t want to go, and find out that it is a pretty spectacular place to be