Assistant or Professor in Division of Prosthodontics at University of Kentucky – Lexington, Kentucky

DMD / DDS from a program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation or equivalent degree

1 Year

Eligible to receive an unrestricted or faculty-limited Kentucky dental license

The University of Kentucky College of Dentistry, Department of Oral Health Practice in the Division of Prosthodontics is seeking applications for a full-time non-tenure track faculty position at the academic rank of Assistant or Professor level. Exceptional benefits are provided for this position which can be reviewed at the following link: Insurance and retirement benefits | UK Human Resources (uky.edu). The anticipated start date for this assignment is July 1, 2026.

Position Description:
This is a faculty position with major emphasis on instructional activities. Service and limited creative responsibilities are also included. A minimum of 70-80% effort is devoted to teaching the principles and techniques of restorative and/or prosthodontic dentistry to dental students in preclinical and clinical courses. Responsibilities may include directing one or more required courses and/or elective courses with attendant course preparation, development, and student tutorial responsibilities. The remaining time will be spent in professional development, service and scholarly activities.

Responsibilities:

The faculty member reports directly to the Division Chief of Prosthodontics and serves as a faculty member of that division in the Department of Oral Health Practice. The scope of the position includes:

1. Teach in two or three preclinical technique courses. Provide out-of-class help with student laboratory projects.

2. Assume directorship/co-directorship of one or more technique or clinical courses.

3. Provide supervision and instruction in three restorative/prosthodontic clinical courses.

4. Participate in the development, implementation, and evaluation of educational programs in the division.

5. Advise at least three undergraduate students.

6. Participate in educational and scholarly activities pertinent to the teaching or practice of restorative/prosthodontic dentistry.

7. Serve on departmental, college, and university committees.

• D.M.D. or D.D.S. degree from a CODA-accredited institution, or proof of graduation from a non-CODA-accredited dental school with evidence that the degree makes the candidate eligible to practice dentistry in the jurisdiction from which the applicant graduated.

• Eligible for an unrestricted or faculty-limited Kentucky dental license.

• Evidence of a high level of clinical competence in dentistry and prosthodontics.

• Post-doctoral training in operative dentistry or prosthodontics is desired, but not required.

• Experience in dental education is desired, but not required.

Instruction 60-70%

Research/Scholarly Activity 5-10%

Service (direct patient care) 20-25%

Professional Development 5-10%

Total 100%

• 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.

• 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. Rodrigo Fuentealba, Assistant Professor, and Interim Division Chief of Prosthodontics at rodrigo.fuentealba@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.

High level of clinical competence in dentistry (prosthodontics). Post-doctoral training in operative dentistry desired, but not required.

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.