University of Florida College of Dentistry

Strategic Plan 2019-2024

From the Dean

The University of Florida College of Dentistry (UFCD) is a leader in

education, clinical care and research. We are proud to be a pillar of
the local Gainesville community and a leader in these three areas —
regionally, nationally and globally. We are also unique: UFCD is one of
only three U.S. dental schools with residency training in every dental
specialty recognized by the American Dental Association.

As the only publicly funded dental school in the state, UFCD has a
strong tradition of comprehensive and compassionate service to the
community. We have a multi-faceted service mission encompassing
patient care, community outreach and education. We remain
committed to providing excellent care to individuals across their
lifespan — translating discoveries and the best science into practice.

People are our strength! Collectively, our students and residents

benefit from the skills and experience of our devoted faculty and
staff working in a rich, collaborative environment afforded by being
one of the six health colleges at the UF Academic Health Center
in Gainesville. As we focus on developing exceptional dentists,
specialists and researchers, we are mindful that academic excellence
must be paired with compassion, integrity and professionalism — and
that our future depends on producing not only future clinicians, but
also leaders in academia and in the community.

As we plan for the future, we strive to be mission-focused while

capitalizing on key opportunities. The UFCD Strategic Plan for 2019-
2024 embraces the integrated nature of modern dentistry, oral health
and overall health — underscoring essential support for research that
informs and transforms patient care. The plan centers on five key
goals:

4 Develop and sustain a learner-centered educational environment.

4 Provide excellent, patient-centered health care grounded in
evidence.
4 Support and advance preeminent basic, clinical, translational and
population-based research.
4 Upgrade and expand teaching, research and clinical care facilities
and infrastructure.
4 Enhance and maintain a supportive and humanistic environment.

I welcome your continued input as we strive to advance oral health

through excellence in education, research and service.

A. Isabel Garcia, D.D.S., M.P.H.

Dean, University of Florida College of Dentistry
The University of Florida University of Florida Health

For the Gator Good Committed to Excellence

Founded in 1905, the University of Florida is a land, sea and space grant university that has University of Florida Health is the Southeast’s most comprehensive academic health
been entrusted to educate, research and serve. UF has a 2,000-acre campus and more than center and encompasses hospitals, faculty practices, colleges, centers, institutes,
900 buildings with locations in all 67 Florida counties. programs and services.

UF has some of the top faculty in the country and attracts over $700 million in research UF Health represents the shared vision and commitment to patient care excellence of
each year and fosters a uniquely collaborative environment that transforms potential into the employees of the UF Academic Health Center and UF Health Shands health care
actual results. system. It includes the colleges of dentistry, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, public health
and health professions, and veterinary medicine, nine research institutes and centers,
and an academic campus in Jacksonville.
University of Florida College of Dentistry

Education Research Patient Care

From humble beginnings in
a trailer on the UF campus,
the UF College of Dentistry
has grown into a nationally
Mission recognized program of
Provide innovative dental education and deliver the excellence in oral health
highest degree of patient-centered care and service, education, research and
while promoting discovery and the generation of patient care.
knowledge through research, with strong commitments
to community engagement, diversity and inclusion.
Since 1972, the University of Florida College to dental care for Florida’s residents,
of Dentistry has educated nearly 4,500 dental focusing on vulnerable populations and
Vision
students, residents and fellows — preparing patients with special health care needs. Our
To be a global leader in dental education, research,
them to provide comprehensive and specialty students, residents and faculty also provide
patient care and service.
care to patients as well as to serve as leaders free dental treatment to underserved
Values in their communities and within academia. populations during educational service
We value excellence through high-quality Our college’s faculty members are not only projects at home and abroad.
comprehensive dental care, cutting-edge research educators and clinicians, but also leaders in
and learner-focused education. We support a culture developing knowledge that guides teaching Our location on the west side of the UF
of dignity, respect, support and compassion fostered and clinical care. Currently we are ranked Academic Health Center campus allows
through a diverse and inclusive environment. fifth among U.S. dental schools receiving meaningful interdisciplinary interactions
grant support from the National Institutes among the six UF health colleges. Drawing
of Health (NIH)/National Institute of Dental from the strengths of the UF Academic
and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). Our Health Center, we provide a full array
research environment provides opportunities of top-rated educational opportunities,
for students to participate in the thrill ranging from predoctoral education
of discovery and to learn first-hand how to graduate, specialty and certificate
UFCD Strategic Plan 2019-2024 evidence guides care. programs, including a DMD/PhD program
This strategic plan articulates five goals that promote excellent dental education;
in biomedical science with a focus on oral
compassionate, patient-centered care; innovative basic, translational and clinical research;
Our dental centers in Gainesville, Hialeah, St. biology. UFCD educates future dentists and
strategic and efficient operations; and an inclusive and supportive environment.
Petersburg and Naples completed 148,539 dental specialists through 16 degree and
patient visits during fiscal year 2017, offering certificate programs. Within the UF Health
These goals, which are highly integrated, will guide UFCD’s decision-making for the next five
the highest quality comprehensive care to environment, students and residents are in
years toward achieving global eminence in dentistry and oral health.
children and adults. We have a multi-faceted close proximity to providers in other health
service mission encompassing patient care professions, which enriches interdisciplinary
and community outreach and education. clinical learning toward patient-centered
Through the UF Statewide Network for care.
Community Oral Health, we improve access
Strategic Plan 2019-2024
Quick reference

Education
Develop and Sustain a Learner-Centered Educational Environment

Excellent education, guided by and grounded in sound scientific evidence, develops

students for success as skilled professionals and effective leaders.

Our students, residents and faculty participate in interdisciplinary learning and

research that benefits the college and its community of patients, and is guided by well-
rounded curricula that produces professionals skillful in the art and science of dentistry.
We will employ innovative, evidence-based educational models to prepare our
students and residents for success and continued effectiveness in a rapidly changing
health care environment.

Pat i ent C a re I n f ra s t r u c t u r e
Provide Excellent, Patient-Centered Oral Health Care Grounded in Evidence Upgrade and Expand Teaching, Research and Clinical Care Facilities and
Infrastructure
The highest quality oral health care is evidence-based and patient-centered, meeting Centralized and efficient management of UFCD operations and development best
the needs of our highly diverse community of patients. supports our ability to be an outstanding institution.

UFCD has a longstanding reputation as the primary source for top-quality, affordable UFCD’s outstanding students, faculty and staff make up the core of our excellence
oral health services to residents of Gainesville and surrounding areas, as well as in as an institution. Yet to stay at the leading edge of teaching, research and care, we
other Florida communities via our community-based dental centers. As a premier U.S. must invest strategically in infrastructure improvements. These efforts will pay off in
dental school with residency training in every specialty recognized by the American improved patient care and safety, stronger research and educational programs, and
Dental Association, UFCD will strive to become a top destination for advanced or an expanded pool of patients.
specialty care in all aspects of oral health care.

Research E nv i ron m ent

Support & Advance Preeminent Basic, Clinical, Translational and Population- Enhance and Maintain a Supportive and Humanistic Environment
Based Research
A vibrant research enterprise maintains the spirit of discovery that brings to life UFCD is a premier destination for dental patients, a top educational choice for
intellectual curiosity and enhances clinical acumen afforded through scholarship. students and residents, and a stimulating working environment for faculty and staff.

A strong research portfolio is a hallmark of UFCD’s accomplishments, reputation An organization can only be strong when its human capital is united. Students,
and success. A thriving research environment ensures that students, residents and faculty and staff at UFCD form a special community linked through interests,
faculty remain at the leading edge of biomedical knowledge and practice. Through knowledge, science, curiosity and compassion. We will create an inclusive,
research, we assure that patient-care is optimally effective. supportive and respectful climate that embraces and values diversity —
acknowledging that with diversity, we gain a broader foundation of strength,
wisdom and creativity. We will foster an environment of support, trust, effective
communication, responsible and ethical behavior, and maintain an ongoing
commitment to respect within our own institution while we provide care for others.
G o a l O n e Develop and Sustain a Learner-Centered Educational G o a l O n e Develop and Sustain a Learner-Centered Educational
Environment Environment

Dual-Degree Student Keeps Research Alive Our Vision

Excellent education, guided by and grounded in sound scientific evidence, develops students for success as
UFCD D.M.D./Ph.D. student KyuLim Lee is skilled professionals and effective leaders.
one example of why the future of dentistry is
so bright. Lee arrived at UFCD in 2013 with Our students, residents and faculty participate in interdisciplinary learning and research that benefits the
a broad interest in oral health, sparked by college and its community of patients, and is guided by well-rounded curricula that produces professionals
her undergraduate degree in food science skillful in the art and science of dentistry. We will employ innovative, evidence-based educational models to
and human nutrition from the UF College of prepare our students and residents for success and continued effectiveness in a rapidly changing health care
Agricultural and Life Sciences with an emphasis environment.
on nutritional sciences.

Lee knows that although scientific discovery

Objectives thinking, provide earlier clinical experiences,
and optimize the impact of biomedical advances
takes time and diligence, it is highly worthwhile. 1-1 Systematically review and revise the through faster translation of research findings into
“My experience has taught me an important curriculum across DMD and other programs to clinical care.
aspect of research: a cure for a disease is not promote excellence and serve as a model for
discovered overnight. The discoveries result innovative dental education. Implementation Strategies
from years of incremental research,” she said.
Incorporating the results of pilot tests, dental- 4Explore centralized curriculum-management
education literature and best practices, implement strategies in ways that will better integrate
After winning first place in the 2014 American
a streamlined, contemporary curriculum in the curricular content, increase efficiency and
Association for Dental Research Unilever Hatton
DMD and advanced dental education programs in facilitate transdisciplinary patient-centered care.
Competition, she advanced to the International
Association for Dental Research’s version later a learner-centered, humanistic environment. 4Incorporate additional experiential, case-based
the same year, winning second place in the and small-group learning relevant to various
global contest. And in a first for UFCD, Lee was Implementation Strategies patient populations, especially children, seniors
selected as the 2016-2017 Gert Quigley Fellow, 4 Eliminate redundancy in the curriculum to and those with diverse needs and backgrounds.
giving her the opportunity to spend six weeks at allow time for expanded learning opportunities 4Adopt and support measures of effectiveness
the American Association for Dental Research, in additional areas such as research, public that include oral-health-related quality of life
or AADR, headquarters as well as a yearlong health and emerging technologies. and patient outcomes.
appointment to the AADR Government Affairs 4Expand blended learning approaches, case-
Committee. based learning, evidence-based practice and 1-3 Expand coordinated and meaningful
active learning throughout the curriculum. interprofessional educational experiences.
Rather than consider the opportunity a
dry role, Lee saw the position as critical to 4Expand integration of biomedical, clinical and
behavioral sciences in the curriculum. Providing patient care in a collaborative,
advancing academic dentistry through policy integrated team environment is the hallmark of
and engagement with funding agencies. As a 4Continue to identify and assess further interprofessional education, and it ensures that
full voting member of the committee, Lee and curricular opportunities such as increased
UFCD students and residents acquire knowledge
other fellows helped to craft policy as it relates formative assessments that support student-
and skills to work within this modern landscape.
to the federal budget and other legislative centered learning, community-based learning
“Research is the future of dentistry The expected results are improved health outcomes
and regulatory activities important to dental and interprofessional education.
coupled with the best available care supported by
research. evidence. This shift is especially important given the
and advocating the importance
1-2 Transition the UFCD curriculum toward a aging of the U.S. population and a growing need
“Research is the future of dentistry and whole-patient care model. to treat a broad range of patients diverse in age,
of continuous funding for dental advocating the importance of continuous medical risk and cultural background.
funding for dental research is very important,” Increasing curricular focus on comprehensive
research is very important,” Lee said. she said. and coordinated patient care while supporting Implementation Strategies
mastery of individual procedures offers significant 4Increase the number of collaborations and
opportunities for improved student learning and learning opportunities between UFCD and
better patient care. Curricular reforms will better other UF health disciplines.
integrate basic and clinical science, support critical
G o a l O n e Develop and Sustain a Learner-Centered Educational G o a l O n e Develop and Sustain a Learner-Centered Educational
Environment Environment

4Maximize the use of technology to forge

connections between UFCD students, residents
1-5 Enhance the integration of research Physical Therapy Meets
Dentistry in Interprofessional
into predoctoral and graduate educational
and staff, as well as with other health programming.

Education
professionals.
4Recruit a broad range of health care New insights and knowledge from research inform
professionals outside of dentistry to participate what we teach and how we provide care. UFCD The value of interprofessional research and education is at
with trainees and faculty in UFCD clinics. currently ranks fifth among U.S. dental schools for an all-time high in today’s academic climate. Yet, logistical
4Promote earlier DMD student participation in NIH funding and has ranked in the top 10 for the challenges—such as meeting curricular and scheduling
clinical care. past 15 years. Amid the rich research environment requirements—can make it difficult to achieve in the real
provided throughout the UF Academic Health world.
4Streamline the referral process for care and Center, UFCD trainees and faculty have access to
strengthen the quality improvement process for
cutting-edge technologies and interdisciplinary UF Health is unusually suited to creating valuable
monitoring interdisciplinary care.
collaborations that can revolutionize prevention interprofessional opportunities for its students since all six
4Evaluate workforce models of team approaches and management of oral diseases. These strengths health colleges are co-located on the Gainesville campus. In
to patient-centered care. position us as a world leader in oral health addition, all of the major research centers, institutes and most
research. clinical enterprises are located within a half-mile radius of one
1-4 Incorporate technology to provide students another, and are adjacent to the main UF campus.
and residents with broader learning experiences. Implementation Strategies
4Develop a process for students to engage in The relatively new “Making Safe Moves” course is a great
Advances in educational technology have the research activities across all four years of the example of an interprofessional offering that is a win-win
potential to expand curricular flexibility and to DMD curriculum. UF Health is unusually opportunity for UF dental and physical therapy students.
customize instruction for individual learning 4Expand UFCD faculty representation and active Making Safe Moves is an interactive, practical, peer-learning
styles. Online courses, apps, simulation and other suited to creating curriculum in which physical therapy students teach dental
engagement with the UF Graduate Program in
approaches can be used to enhance learning Biomedical Sciences. students how to safely transfer patients with assistive devices
as well as ensure that trainees are comfortable valuable interprofessional into and out of a dental chair.
with the use of new technologies in care and in 4Continue to support and enhance a system
research. for effective and timely communication opportunities for its students In 2016, a peer-reviewed article in Collaborative Healthcare,
regarding ongoing research interests and
a publication of the Jefferson Center for Interprofessional
Implementation Strategies activities of faculty and trainees, both within and since all six health colleges Education, detailed the hour and a half “Making Safe Moves”
beyond the UFCD in-house research
4Analyze current curricula to identify potential course.
community. are co-located on the
areas amenable to online instruction, including
pre-clinical coursework, using virtual patients, 4Involve research faculty and trainees in Thought to be the first of its kind in the country and the
curricular revisions to allow greater flexibility Gainesville campus. only of its kind at UF, the one-on-one interactive experience
and enabling more digital imaging across all
care centers and graduate programs. for students to pursue dental and educational meets curricular objectives for both the dental and physical
research. therapy groups and addresses some of the barriers to
4Expand UFCD online learning opportunities
4Require evidence-based approaches in all interprofessional education.
for existing and prospective students,
community locations, dental professionals and clinical teaching.
4Employ axiUm and other data-science Collectively, physical therapy and dental students who
auxiliaries.
approaches to facilitate longitudinal cohort took the initial course agreed that learning how to perform
4Make existing resources accessible for research transfers, appropriate body mechanics, and how to address
use, including migrating axiUm, EPIC and other studies and health-data mining for quality
assurance. needs for those with mobility deficits were very important.
systems to searchable databases.
4Consider use of various technologies to
enhance education and point-of-care service.
G o a l T w o Provide Excellent Oral Health Care Grounded in G o a l T w o Provide Excellent Oral Health Care Grounded in
Evidence Evidence

Our Vision
The highest quality oral health care is evidence-based and patient-centered, meeting the needs of our highly
diverse community of patients.
Gentle Dental Care for Kids with Special Needs
UFCD has a longstanding reputation as the primary source for top-quality, affordable oral health services to Leda Mugayar, D.D.S., recalls when an
residents of Gainesville and surrounding areas, as well as in other Florida communities via our community- autistic boy she was treating had trouble
based dental centers. As a premier U.S. dental school with residency training in every specialty recognized pronouncing her name.
by the American Dental Association, UFCD will strive to become a top destination for advanced or specialty
care in all aspects of oral health care. “Leda,’’ she said, and he gave her a look
of confusion. She tried “Mugayar,’’ and
got the same response. Then he looked
at her and came up with a name of his
Objectives 2-2. Expand the UFCD clinical footprint to UF own.
2-1. Develop a robust, patient-centered Health clinical sites and other locations.
interprofessional care model with integrated dental “OK, Dr. Spaghetti.”
and medical management. A broader UCFD patient community will benefit
Sitting in the UFCD pediatric dental
us in various ways. UF Health patients will benefit
In agreement with UFCD’s commitment to educate clinic, Mugayar laughs at the memory,
from comprehensive health care that includes oral
future dentists through a whole-patient lens that holding her straight blonde hair that
health. UFCD students will develop a better overall
integrates dental and medical care, we will ensure had reminded the boy of pasta. There
understanding of comprehensive dental care
that our patients remain at the center of the care are so many memorable patients and
through access to a range of learning experiences.
process — from making an initial appointment to wonderful stories like that one, she says,
participating in care through a comprehensive and that make it easy to love her job.
Our faculty will engage more fully through
individualized treatment plan. Implementing digital increased interactions with UF Health medical
dentistry wherever possible can improve patient Mugayar is a pediatric dentist, and she
providers. The resulting increase in numbers
experiences and help increase practice efficiency. said her passion is treating children with
and types of patients will enrich students’
special needs. “I don’t do this for me,”
and residents’ experiences. Conversely, an
Implementation Strategies she said. “I do this for the children.
increased patient pool can enhance the college’s
Because they are the ones that we are
4Create and maintain customer-service standards educational, research and clinical care.
here for.” “I don’t do this for me,” she said. “I do this
and provide training and support to integrate a
culture of service in every aspect of our work. Implementation Strategies for the children. Because they are the
She said her experience with special
4Establish a patient access center to handle 4Expand availability of clinical care to other parts needs patients pushed her toward the
phone and online appointment requests, of Florida. preventive side of dentistry, because ones that we are here for.”
cancellations and patient requests. 4Increase marketing efforts throughout the UF there’s so much you do if you work
4Ensure prompt replies and feedback to referring Health community including to faculty, students, ahead of the clock. For babies, that
dental and medical providers with standard staff and patients. means working with their mothers when
operating procedures facilitated by the use of 4Broaden existing UFCD clinical expertise to they are pregnant. And for infants,
information technology. provide a fuller range of consultation to just being desensitized to the dental
predoctoral and advanced education clinics. visit itself is an effective way to begin
4Document and follow evidence-based
prevention of cavities.
guidelines for patient-care management at the 4Attract a broader patient population to support she became the head of Westmead Hospital’s special-needs
point of care. residents’ and students’ educational needs. dentistry department. She then completed a master’s degree in
Mugayar was born and raised in Brazil,
4Optimize standards for patient safety, tracking where she graduated from the University preventive dentistry and community health at the University of
of clinical adverse events, and quality assurance of Campinas School of Dentistry. She California at San Francisco.
through efficient and effective use of received pediatric dentistry training in
information technology. Brazil before she moved to Japan with Since 2011, she has been on the faculty at UFCD, where she
4Develop and adopt patient-satisfaction her son for postgraduate training. Later, continues to work to expand care for children with special needs.
measures that assess health and patient- they moved to Sydney, Australia, where
centered outcomes.
G o a l T w o Provide Excellent Oral Health Care Grounded in Goal Three Support & Advance Preeminent Basic, Clinical,
Evidence Translational and Population-Based Research

2-3. Ensure availability and quality of oral health Implementation Strategies Our Vision
A vibrant research enterprise maintains the spirit of discovery that brings to life intellectual curiosity and
care for underserved communities in Florida. 4Bolster support of the UF Statewide Network for
enhances clinical acumen afforded through scholarship.
Community Oral Health through development
As Florida’s only state-supported dental school, the of partnerships.
A strong research portfolio is a hallmark of UFCD’s accomplishments, reputation and success. A thriving
UFCD commitment to underserved populations 4Support and encourage service learning in research environment ensures that students, residents and faculty remain at the leading edge of biomedical
is deeply ingrained within our institutional communities through outreach programs and knowledge and practice. Through research, we assure that patient-care is optimally effective.
fabric. We will continue to provide high-quality public health rotations to benefit underserved
comprehensive care to people throughout the people and enrich student experiences and
state through UFCD clinics and our community
partners. In addition to providing reduced-fee care
education.
Objectives portfolio and provide additional opportunities
4Continue to partner with UF Health to for faculty, students and residents to engage in
in student clinics, UFCD will sustain its support for
participate in the UF Student Health Professions
3-1. Enhance recruitment and retention of meaningful research and address a wide range of
several community-outreach programs that provide exemplary faculty to advance the research
Education Program to increase opportunities public health needs. Greater engagement with the
oral health education, screening, prevention and enterprise.
for students underrepresented in the health and UF Health environment could create new programs
dental services to individuals including those with
research workforce. A solid, talented faculty base is essential for for basic, translational and clinical research—and
special needs.
4Prioritize infant oral health education and sustaining our research program at a high level. We for integrative approaches.
prevention strategies, and increase access to will continue to support and expand opportunities Implementation Strategies
care for patients with special needs in for faculty to conduct research to maintain a
collaboration with UF Health pediatric medicine strong evidence-based curriculum and clinical care 4Enrich research programs in areas of historical
specialties. program. Strengthening UFCD’s translational and strength, such as biomaterial sciences, with
clinical research enterprise is a focus. new linkages to translational and clinical
research conducted within the UF Health
Implementation Strategies environment and with institutions outside
Annual Service Trip Provides Dental Home for 4Conduct strategic recruitment and capitalize on UFCD.
4Strengthen collaboration with the UF Clinical
UF campus-wide initiatives to attain a critical
Bahaman Children mass of productive, research-intensive faculty and Translational Science Institute and
and clinical researchers. integration with major UF research initiatives
Andros is the largest island in the Bahamas and such as cancer and genomics.
the fifth-largest island in the Caribbean, but 4Establish a UFCD research-resource portal to
not a single dentist lives there to provide care provide current information on research 4Facilitate appropriately-secured access to
for residents and visitors. The UFCD Bahamas resources, faculty expertise/interests and core patient databases for clinical research studies
Service Trip, first launched in 2012, provides facilities; and establish appropriate links with for faculty and students.
a much-needed “dental home” for Andros other such portals such as UF Health Bridge. 4Optimize conversion of existing activities and
children, providing free dental care in clinics set 4Review and enhance efforts that provide time resources into research output, including the
up in school classrooms with stations for oral and resources for clinical faculty to conduct use of secured clinical databases such as axiUm,
hygiene education, prevention, extractions and research. EPIC or others.
restorative procedures. 4Provide additional infrastructure to support 4Create a robust mentoring system for clinical
research, such as biostatistical support and core faculty and trainees to enhance their ability to
The service trip was created by former UFCD facilities. conduct research and scholarly work.
endodontic resident and native Bahaman
4Promote interactions and convey information
Dr. Ericka Bennett who teamed with Dr. Abi
that will facilitate research by UFCD faculty and 3-3. Expand extramural research funding.
Adewumi, a pediatric dentistry UFCD faculty
trainees. For the seventh consecutive year, NIH funding of
member and longtime supporter of dental
mission trips. Adewumi has since led the effort, UFCD research and research training has increased.
Since 2012, this annual service trip has selecting a group of dental students and 3-2. Promote interdisciplinary and team science. UFCD now receives about $16 million in total
student leaders to organize the annual trip. The funding each year, ranking us fifth among U.S.
provided care for children who live on trip typically includes DMD students, faculty, The large majority of UFCD’s external funding dental institutions.
and volunteer dentists and dental assistants. is directed at basic research. Investments in
the largest island in the Bahamas. clinical and translational research can diversify our Our five-year goal is to retain top-five status
Each year they provide care for hundreds of the
among dental institutions. Given uncertainties in
island’s children.
Goal Three Support & Advance Preeminent Basic, Clinical, Goal Three Support & Advance Preeminent Basic, Clinical,
Translational and Population-Based Research Translational and Population-Based Research

A Cavity-Fighting Bacteria? public and private funding environments, growing

and sustaining our research enterprise will require a Dissecting the Biology of HIV/AIDS Infections
greater degree of innovation.
UFCD research suggests that a type of “helpful” DAPI LANA Polycomb Merged
bacteria may provide a new way to prevent caries. Implementation Strategies (diamidino/phenylindole) (latency associated nuclear antigen)
Dental caries result from a combination of factors— 4Establish and disseminate an online repository
all of which involve bacteria that feed on nutrients of available funding opportunities relevant to
such as sugar and create tooth-eroding acid as a UFCD researchers and their mentored students.
by-product. A healthy mouth requires a relatively
neutral chemical milieu; a pH of around 7. When the 4Develop and implement an internal grant-review
oral environment becomes more acidic—such as process to provide constructive feedback for
from Streptococcus mutans-producing acid—dental faculty and trainees during early stages of
cavities or other disorders can develop. research-proposal development.
4Target a portion of UFCD fundraising and
UFCD scientists Robert Burne, Ph.D., and Marcelle development efforts to provide resources to
Nascimento, D.D.S., Ph.D., took a chemistry- research programs.
based approach to search for beneficial bacteria 4Explore additional partnerships with the private
that might neutralize acid and avert cavity-based Using latently KSHV-infected iSLK cells
sector to support educational and clinical Polycomb proteins co-localize with and are focally concentrated with latency associated nuclear antigen, or
damage. They cultured more than 2,000 bacteria research.
from dental plaque samples and narrowed down LANA, in Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus KSHV-infected cells. Basically, the green dots indicate the
the list to 54 microbes that had the necessary binding of the viral protein LANA to the KSHV DNA in the cells. Red dots indicate different cellular Polycomb
metabolic properties to reduce acid. Of those, the 3-4. Increase the quantity of UFCD-wide scholarly proteins that are co-localized with LANA on the KSHV DNA.
researchers closed in on a different member of the activities.
Streptococcus bacteria family called “A12.”
Research represents a core component of the
They learned that A12 breaks down natural UFCD mission and thus, maintaining a high level
of scholarly activity is critical to our success. As Kaposi’s sarcoma is an infection common in people with human
molecules in the mouth and creates ammoni as
biomedicine matures and grows beyond traditional immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or
a by-product, which neutralizes acid and that it
boundaries, we will embrace more and different AIDS. It usually appears first as purplish spots on the face or legs and also on
directly attacks and kills the harmful Streptococcus
types of scholarship. mucous membranes, such as inside the mouth and throat, and on the outside of
mutans.
the eye and inner part of the eyelids.
The findings suggest that invoking competition Implementation Strategies
UFCD scientist Zsolt Toth, Ph.D., is studying the lifecycle and molecular
among bacterial types in the mouth may prevent 4Increase the quantity and impact of scholarly characteristics of Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, or KSHV, the virus
cavities from forming by both blunting acid output, including peer-reviewed publications;
production and allowing bacterial competition that causes Kaposi sarcoma (as well as some other cancers). Toth has learned
other written products; and local, regional, that KSHV can hijack components of an infected person’s cellular operations
to even out bacterial communities. Nascimento national and international presentations.
and Burne hope to turn their discovery into a tool and use them to establish persistent infection as well as cause cancer.
to screen for people who are at a higher risk for 4Increase the number of honors and awards
developing cavities, and possibly develop a dietary earned by faculty, students, residents and other Toth’s research focuses on investigating structural changes to DNA that enable Zsolt Toth joined the
supplement containing helpful bacteria such as A12. trainees. KSHV to toggle back and forth between latent (non-active) and lytic (replicating) college in 2016 as an
4Create a culture in which scholarship includes forms. Understanding and manipulating those switches may help to keep the assistant professor in
a broad range of activities that contribute to virus silent. oral biology.
generating knowledge, as well as to translating
First discovered in 1924, Streptococcus and sharing it. In an innovative cross-UF research effort, Toth and his UFCD colleague
Bernadett Papp, Ph.D., are working with Laurence M. Morel, Ph.D., of UF’s
mutans is a facultatively anaerobic, 4Increase participation of faculty and trainees Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine to understand
in the National Dental Practice-Based Research
how KSHV eludes attack by immune cells in the mouth.
gram-positive coccus commonly found Network.
in the human oral cavity and is a
significant contributor to tooth decay. Image of Streptococcus mutans, left, courtesy of Tom Wen.
G o a l F o u r Upgrade and Expand Teaching, Research and Clinical G o a l F o u r Upgrade and Expand Teaching, Research and Clinical
Care Facilities and Infrastructure Care Facilities and Infrastructure

Our Vision
Ensuring the Best and Centralized and efficient management of UFCD operations and development best supports our ability to be
Brightest Future Gator an outstanding institution.

Dentists UFCD’s outstanding students, faculty and staff make up the core of our excellence as an institution. Yet
to stay at the leading edge of teaching, research and care, we must invest strategically in infrastructure
improvements. These efforts will pay off in improved patient care and safety, stronger research and
educational programs, and an expanded pool of patients.
For the 2017-18 academic year,

UFCD awarded over $1 million to 76

students. Approximately $300,000- Objectives 4-2. Improve the UFCD-wide information

4-1. Renovate and upgrade existing teaching, technology infrastructure.
$400,000 is awarded annually from clinical and research space.
Information technology is the backbone of
funds established by our generous Substantial improvements to our physical 21st century education, research and health
infrastructure are critical to accommodate growth care. Improvements to information technology
donors. and to enable UFCD to remain competitive. infrastructure will benefit students and residents
Investments should maximize collaboration, as well as patients, researchers and staff. We will
integration and communication within UFCD, with expand human capital and physical resources
Dentistry is a highly-rewarding profession, and UFCD is a known leader in providing high quality UF and UF Health, as well as with our neighboring to bolster this key component of the UFCD
education and clinical experience for our students. Becoming a dentist is increasingly expensive, communities. environment.
though, and the reality of significant future debt for dental students can present a huge burden to
aspiring dentists. Implementation Strategies Implementation Strategies
4Update plans for a building expansion in 4Evaluate, and enhance where needed, current
According to the American Dental Education Association, or ADEA, U.S. dental graduates in 2017 had UFCD information-technology structure,
Gainesville.
an average of $280,000 of debt, and over 39 percent of indebted dental school graduates in the same support and associated costs, including student
year reported debt in excess of $300,000. 4Create centralized funding structures for shared learning management systems, individual
resources and staff support. student dashboards and data warehousing.
That’s why UFCD is taking steps to provide financial assistance for dental students by growing our 4Consolidate faculty and staff reporting structures 4Update instructional-technology components to
pool of merit-based and need-based scholarship funds. On average, over the past three years, to standardize hiring and retention policies and enable tracking of assessments and
approximately 180 students apply for scholarships each year. practices. competencies for DMD and advanced
4Create mixed-use space off campus, such as education.
For the 2017-18 academic year, UFCD awarded over $1 million to 76 students, including HRSA’s in locations outside the AHC as well as within
Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students. Approximately $300,000- $400,000 is awarded annually from 4Explore interoperability and data sharing
the state. between EPIC and axiUm clinic-management
funds established by our generous donors.
4Explore and analyze options for new or software systems for both clinical care and
expanded programs in other locations research purposes.
Health Resources & Services Administration, or HRSA, Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students help
throughout Florida, including faculty practice,
UFCD recruit and retain the most talented students. These funds also improve access to a health-
residency training and DMD rotations that
professions education and fostering a diversified health workforce, and reduce student debt so that
support clinical and research opportunities.
scholarship recipients may be more likely to provide care in underserved areas after they graduate.

HRSA’s latest Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students award is $2.6 million for the 2016-20 period. A
total of $647,979 was designated for the 2016-17 academic year, with recommended future support
for the same amount each academic year for the grant period. For the 2012-2016 period, UFCD was
one of only three dental schools in the country to receive these highly competitive HRSA grant awards,
and one of five dental schools across the country for the 2016-20 period.
G o a l F o u r Upgrade and Expand Teaching, Research and Clinical G o a l F i v e Enhance and Maintain a Supportive and Humanistic
Care Facilities and Infrastructure Environment

Our Vision
4-3. Implement a multi-faceted institutional
development program, including a capital
Going Greater With UF’s UFCD is a premier destination for dental patients, a top educational choice for students and residents, and a
campaign to support faculty, facilities, programs Capital Campaign stimulating working environment for faculty and staff.
and endowments.
An organization can only be strong when its human capital is united. Students, faculty and staff at UFCD form
As a nationally ranked institution that is part of the a special community linked through interests, knowledge, science, curiosity and compassion. We will create
UF family, UFCD has a strong and solid reputation. an inclusive, supportive and respectful climate that embraces and values diversity — acknowledging that with
This favorable standing serves as a launch pad diversity, we gain a broader foundation of strength, wisdom and creativity. We will foster an environment
from which to capitalize on successes and further of support, trust, effective communication, responsible and ethical behavior, and maintain an ongoing
grow resources. Additional revenue earned commitment to respect within our own institution while we provide care for others.
through philanthropy will support scholarships,
faculty recruitment and infrastructure improvement.

Implementation Strategies Objectives 5-2. Support professional development and

4Launch a multi-year capital campaign that 5-1. Enhance and celebrate diversity and leadership of students, residents, faculty and staff.
incorporates funding opportunities for key goals inclusion among students, residents, staff and
and objectives. faculty. The 21st century is a time of extraordinary
opportunity for biomedicine. Quantum leaps in
4Employ a more comprehensive approach to
Diversity is a means to institutional excellence, and technology have caused profound shifts in the
engaging donors such as recruiting faculty and In 2017, the University of Florida launched Go
inclusion is diversity’s natural partner. Recruiting way we learn, provide care and discover new
students as UFCD ambassadors and increasing Greater - the largest fundraising initiative in its
trainees, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds knowledge. As such, there is a great need to
outreach to alumni. history. The $3 billion campaign, concluding in
is important for developing an atmosphere of foster an environment of life-long learning and to
4Develop and implement creative information 2022, builds on the university’s call to enlighten, to match this atmosphere with adequate resources for
technology approaches to facilitate giving. cultural competence in which providers can
lead and to serve citizens and society at large. professional development.
effectively connect with patient needs and their
4Expand relationships with industries, concerns. Such an environment is essential for
corporations and foundations to increase gifts. The Go Greater campaign emphasizes projects and
delivering optimal patient-centered care and Implementation Strategies
programs that encourage collaboration across all
4Initiate a “grateful patient” program with faculty of UF’s colleges, units and partners.
learner-focused education. 4Develop and evaluate student-resident
referrals. programming that addresses mentoring, career
4Allocate donor funding for educational- Implementation Strategies planning and professional skills management —
The university’s goal of $3 billion was established
and career-developmental needs of residents, 4Continue to use a holistic approach to evaluate including “soft skills” such as communication
so UF can go greater in our communities, our state,
postdoctoral scholars and faculty. and recruit the most talented faculty, students, and cultural competency.
our nation and across the globe.
residents and postdoctoral scholars to UFCD. 4Provide diverse types of leadership
The college’s portion of that goal is to raise $28 4Recruit outstanding early-career scientists to opportunities for students, faculty and
million in gifts through the campaign that spans secure the future of UFCD research programs; administrators.
2014-2022 to fund important initiatives, including ensure that search strategies are objectively 4Provide consistent, evidence-based mentoring
endowed professorships, scholarships, centers based and sufficiently broad in reach. of faculty and trainees by promoting use of the
focused on excellence in digital dentistry and 4Dedicate resources for additional merit-based UF Clinical and Translational Science Institute
children’s oral health, and an opportunity for scholarships for DMD students and ensure that Mentor Academy.
naming of the college. sufficient unrestricted scholarship aid is
available to attract and maintain a diverse 5-3. Develop a comprehensive UFCD
To learn more about UFCD Capital student body. communication plan, promoting the college’s
4Enhance cultural competency in all learning, education, research and service missions.
Campaign initiatives and funding research and clinical environments.
Effective and meaningful communication is a
opportunities, please contact: powerful catalyst for maintaining our preeminence
and sharing our successes in education, research
Rick Miller and patient care. Much more than pushing out
[email protected] or 352.273.5779 information, good communication is bidirectional,
G o a l F i v e Enhance and Maintain a Supportive and Humanistic G o a l F i v e Enhance and Maintain a Supportive and Humanistic
Environment Environment

Celebrating Diversity in People and Science

The Brightest of Futures
involving listening to the needs of our students,
faculty, staff — and above all — patient
communities. A strategic approach will ensure that
we capitalize on these important connections.
People are more likely to
Implementation Strategies
challenge assumptions 4Expand UFCD regional, national and
international branding.
and derive new ideas in
4Build and maintain a strong relationship with
a heterogeneous group. UFCD alumni through online and other
communications approaches.
In this way, diversity 4Highlight student and faculty success stories to
stakeholders, including local and national
promotes excellence. media, community organizations and alumni.
4Partner with UF Health in corporate-level
communication efforts.
4Develop and maintain cooperative and
synergistic partnerships with other public and
private institutions.
Research shows that people are more likely to and resources that will strengthen participants’ 4Increase marketing efforts to attract patients.
challenge assumptions and derive new ideas in knowledge and understanding of each health- Since the first class of 24 predoctoral
a heterogeneous group. In this way, diversity
promotes excellence. The concept pertains not
related field.
5-4. Promote an overall environment of health
and wellness. students enrolled in our DMD
only to people, but also to science. Modern At UFCD, SHPEP program takes the place of the
biomedicine calls for novel bridging of scientific Summer Learning Program, which provided 15 program in 1972, UFCD has
Individuals and communities are most effective
disciplines and professions to conquer pressing years of guidance, knowledge, resources and
and productive when they are healthy and happy.
health challenges. support to aspiring dentists from 2002 to 2016. continuously focused on our mission
Access to quality care for body and mind is a high
Approximately 65 percent of those students
priority for us as a leader in the development and
The UF Summer Health Professions Education enrolled in dental school, and approximately 30 of excellence in education, research
delivery of evidence-based oral health care. We
Program, or UF SHPEP, contributes to learning percent of those students who went on to dental
will continue to assess the needs of our own UFCD
and discovery for diverse talent by establishing school attended UFCD.
community and develop resources to meet those and patient care. We work, together,
a funding vehicle that applies across traditional
needs.
curricular and research boundaries. SHPEP is a free, Of the 160 SHPEP students who attended the first to improve the lives of the patients
six-week summer-enrichment program focused on two programs, 40 focused exclusively on dentistry.
Implementation Strategies
improving access to information and resources for Those students participated in hands-on projects we care for, to advance scientific
underrepresented students interested in the health in a dental-simulation lab, shadowed dental 4Promote responsible environmental stewardship
professions. Launched at UF in 2017, the program students in general and specialty dental clinics, and in the communities in which we work and reside. discovery, to educate the best
allows 80 pre-health students from across the U.S. explored dentistry and its specialties with faculty, 4Fulfill our social responsibility to care for
to attend a six-week program to learn more about residents and students. underserved communities including patients dentists and specialists in the U.S.,
careers in dentistry, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, with special needs.
public health and health professions, physician 4Evaluate potential to develop a self-insurance helping create a brighter future for
assistant studies and veterinary medicine. dental plan for UF students, faculty and staff.
The program provides crucial access to information everyone.
4Support infrastructure changes that foster and
promote physical and mental well-being.
 2019-2024 Strategic Planning Process

This strategic planning process launched in April 2017, seeking to designate key priorities
and actions to advance the work of UFCD as one of the nation’s premier graduate
and post-graduate schools of dentistry. The strategic plan provides a framework for
identifying key institutional needs, opportunities and priorities; for evaluating relevant
trends in dental education, research and patient care; and for supporting future decision-
making related to programs, facilities, outreach, services and finances.

Key features of the strategic planning process included:

4 An analysis of significant trends confronting schools of dentistry, dental

practitioners and academicians, and research investigators.

4 Formation of a 16-member Steering Committee composed of department chairs,

college administrators, researchers, clinicians, students and residents. The
Steering Committee provided input and advice to the dean on all phases of the
process and played a pivotal role in the review of the plan.

4 Establishment of four area-specific working groups: Education; Research; Patient

Care; and Institutional Growth, Support and Advancement. After extensive review
and discussion, each working group developed specific programmatic
recommendations that were incorporated into the strategic plan.

4 Town hall meetings and focus groups were held to encourage and secure
input from key stakeholder audiences. These groups included students, residents,
and advanced education participants; faculty and staff; practicing clinicians;
alumni and industry representatives.

Implementation of the plan was managed by the standing UFCD Strategic Planning
Committee, whose members will consider and recommend to the dean timelines and
other specific deliverables.

Published October 2018.

© 2018 University of Florida College of Dentistry
For more information and updates, please visit StrategicPlan.dental.ufl.edu
 © 2018 University of Florida College of Dentistry
dental.ufl.edu | 352.273.5802
1395 Center Drive | Gainesville, Florida | 32610