Dean of the Dental School

WittKieffer is proud to partner with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) School of Dental Medicine (SDM) in their search for a visionary and accomplished Dean of the School of Dental Medicine.

UNLV is seeking a visionary and operational leader capable of guiding the dental school through its next stage of growth. This is a unique opportunity to shape the school's academic identity, lead strategic planning, and foster a culture grounded in innovation, collaboration, and measurable excellence. The Dean will be central to shaping the future of the school by strengthening foundational structures, including governance systems, faculty recruitment and retention processes, and academic policies. The successful candidate will advance novel approaches to dental education that incorporate AI, digital health transformation, simulation-based training, and competency-based learning. As the school's public and strategic representative, the Dean will cultivate partnerships with community leaders, health systems, industry, and government stakeholders to elevate the institution's regional and national impact. At a defining moment in its 25th anniversary year, UNLV School of Dental Medicine seeks a Dean to advance the School as a national model for community-engaged clinical education.

UNLV is a rapidly advancing public university that enjoys Carnegie R1 and Community Engagement Classifications and has a strong and growing research and clinical mission. Located in one of the nation's most dynamic and diverse metropolitan regions, UNLV is expanding its academic programs, research enterprise, and clinical operations, while deepening its impact on economic development, community health, and the overall wellbeing of Southern Nevada.

The SDM has been accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation since 2002. Today they receive nearly 2,000 applications annually for their 80 available seats within their pre-doctoral program. In addition, there are 46 active residents in Advanced Education programs in Pediatrics, Orthodontics, General Practice, Public Health, and Anesthesia. The diverse programs and curriculums at the SDM not only reflect a strong commitment to developing knowledge and skills in both oral science and oral health care yet also offer the flexibility for students to tailor their education to their professional interests and goals.

Currently, the SDM has 45 full-time academic faculty, 20 administrative faculty, 140 part-time community faculty, over 100 staff members, and the team is growing. The current budget is approximately $69M in state and self-supporting funds, and active extramural research funding is approximately $3M. The SDM operates clinical programs at two facilities in Las Vegas, hosting between 50,000 to 60,000 patient visits annually, and the school develops and manages multiple low-cost and no-cost community clinics which are dedicated to children, women, homeless persons and veterans. With a mobile dental health unit and strong commitment to community and rural dental health care, as well as a new Special Needs Clinic that houses a recently established interdisciplinary Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Clinic, the School of Dental Medicine is a hub for community care, innovation, and forward-looking education and training.

Serving as the primary steward for accreditation, academic and clinical excellence, the Dean will guide the dental school through CODA review processes, including building and overseeing curriculum governance systems, assessment frameworks, student services, and dental student and residency program development. Financial sustainability and strategic growth will also be central to this position. The Dean will lead financial planning, cultivate philanthropic support, manage state funding relationships, drive operational efficiencies across the organization, and promote opportunities for revenue growth through grants, clinical practice, and high-impact collaborations. The next leader of the School of Dental Medicine will be deeply committed to student success, faculty development, research and innovation, support for rural and underserved community needs, and advancing the school's role in regional economic development and dental public health.

The School is entering a phase of accelerated growth as it prepares for upcoming accreditation milestones, expands its clinical enterprise, and builds the faculty infrastructure required of a modern R1 health sciences unit. Further, the School of Dental Medicine is a critical player in UNLV's Academic Health Center, as well as ongoing university growth in the Las Vegas Medical District. This is a pivotal leadership moment for the School. To meet the moment, we seek an experienced, strategic, entrepreneurial, and collaborative leader who will shape the future of dental research, education and healthcare delivery in Nevada, while positioning UNLV as a national model for a community-responsive academic health system.

The ideal candidate will hold a D.D.S or D.M.D. with credentials appropriate for academic appointment as a tenured full professor. Outstanding candidates will bring substantial leadership experience in dental medicine, including successful experiences leading at the college, school or department level; developing partnerships and cultivating donors; creating a culture of innovation, excellence, and success among students, faculty, and staff; and expanding educational and training programs. Demonstrated success managing large budgets, recruiting and retaining faculty, and engaging external stakeholders, government leaders, and community partners, is essential. The successful candidate will bring strong business acumen and experience managing complex academic enterprises, including dental clinics, clinical revenue, state support, research grants, and education funding.

WittKieffer is assisting UNLV with this important recruitment. For confidential nominations or expressions of interest, please contact the search consultant team of Kimberly Smith, Aaron Mitra, and Jillian Williams at UNLVDeanofDentalMedicine@wittkieffer.com.

UNLV is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer Committed to Achieving Excellence Through Diversity.