Here is the summary of the most recent Board of Regents meeting were the program was approved.
ORTHODONTIC RESIDENCY PROGRAM, UNLV
The Board approved a request from UNLV President Carol C. Harter for a Memorandum of Understanding between UNLV and Orthodontic Education, Ltd. (OEC) that describes a public-private partnership to establish a residency program in orthodontics. This advanced educational program in Orthodontic and Dentofacial Orthopedics will be administered by the UNLV School of Dental Medicine. The Board had previously debated this issue at its October 2003 and March 2004 Board meeting. At the March Board meeting, the Board agreed to approve the contract in concept, but to alter the agreement to make the entire admissions process blind. They directed UNLV to bring the contract back to them with these changes incorporated.
As was the case at previous meetings, several members of the community, including several orthodontists,spoke against this partnership. These individuals:
-Were in support of a properly funded orthodontic residency program in the state, but were concerned over the long-term contract between UNLV and OEC.
-Were concerned over the quality of admissions to the program and wanted assurances OEC would not have control over admissions policies. They wanted students admitted to this program based on academic performance and merits, not their willingness to sign a contract.
-Noted that should the program lose accreditation, the money gifted to the program will have to be repaid within 10 years at 10 percent interest.
-Believed this was not a scholarship program, but rather a program for individuals willing to enter into a contractual agreement.
-Believed the dental community in Las Vegas had been left out of discussions and plans in this regard, as they had been when the dental school was developed.
-Felt the dental school needed the support of the dental community in Nevada to be successful, and could not understand how UNLV could consider this without getting their support. To do so would be to alienate an important base of support for the dental school moving forward.
-Had prior knowledge of students involved in this type of program at other institutions who were assured they would get into the program, regardless of merit, if they agreed to sign a contract.
In addition, several individuals, including members of the UNLV Foundation Board of Trustees, Interim Chancellor Rogers, and the dean of the University of Colorado, which entered into a similar program with OEC, spoke in favor of the partnership. These individuals believed this to be an innovative public-private partnership that will enable UNLV to offer a program that otherwise would be next to impossible to fund. Without this agreement, these individuals believed it would take years to generate enough funding to support an orthodontic residency program, and they encouraged the Board to approve the partnership.
Some Regents were still concerned regarding changes with the proposed contract between UNLV and OEC, most notably that the process for admitting students would not be completely blind, as requested by the Board at its last meeting. In addition, Regents were concerned that they were not permitted to review a copy of the contract that will be entered into by the student with OEC. Pete Christiansen, an attorney hired to review the contract between UNLV and OEC, stressed that the provisions of the contract will be spelled out clearly to students before they agree to take part, and that students will have the opportunity to have an attorney review the specifics of the contract. Regent were also concerned that they did not have enough time to review the changes in the contract between UNLV and OEC prior to the Board meeting. However, after discussion ended, the Board voted to approve the request.
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Everyone has their own opinion, and it depends on who you are and your background.
Educators and those in public health-generally they like it unless they are traditional(good ol boys). They see it as a way to provide funding and opportunities for many, our school also sees it as a way to expand into the specialties quicker. The dental school will make money off of an ortho program and then can expand with endo/perio/prosth programs etc, because they have that money. The school would not be able to expand in this way on its own. The school gets a new building out of it too (nice but not as big as CU's). I"ve heard of numerous ( 15+) public dental schools contacting the OEC to explore the possibility of the same partnership.
Orthodontists- Dont like it because it opens up too many opportunities to their lucrative profession. they wont say this openly and instead will pretend to care about the students not getting themselves into too big a commitment(although the hpsp scholarship is essentially the same thing except you cant buy yourself out of the military)
Prospective Orthodontists- Generally those that are confident and have good grades/scores dont like it (they can get into programs without the extra spots). Those that are on the edge of getting in are split to both sides.
Dentists-Generally dont have a strong opinion but can take both sides
Dental Students- Split both ways, I know people who are angry about it and against it, and then I know some that think its a great thing.
Personally- I am trying to be objective, If I was the Dean of our school and was presented with the same opportunity I would probably do the same thing that they have done. Its all about the bottom line. If I decided to pursure ortho as a career I would not like it and I dont blame orthodontists for being skeptical. With a profession that thrives off of referrals its important to be liked by your colleagues which might be hard if you come from one of these programs. I feel bad for the 8 of 16 students who dont accept the scholarship and have the negative stigma attached to them of being from one of these programs.
Most people I talk to dont have a clue and bag on these programs because someone they know bags on it too. I first reacted this way too but now I understand why so many are for it. I would suggest that everyone with an opinoin at least be objective and find out for yourself.
I can't imagine learning dentistry while all them drill sounds for tires are going on!!
