UCLA School of Dentistry Listening Exercise

Attendees at the chancellor’s Listening Exercise for the School of Dentistry on April 3, 2025 discussed concerns about the future of research funding and the need for increased resources.

They highlighted the unique challenges faced by the dental school, emphasizing its significant patient volume and the perception that it lacks the necessary support due to its status as a separate unit from UCLA Health. A speaker brought up the issue of patients avoiding dental care due to fears of immigration enforcement, prompting a call for solutions to address these concerns.

A few audience members asked about the timing of the implementation of the 2023-28 Strategic Plan and inquired about the priorities of various strategic initiatives. Discussions also touched on the need for dental schools to adapt to the changing landscape of health care and research, emphasizing the importance of modern facilities and funding strategies. One speaker suggested the creation of a university-wide data bank to facilitate open data sharing.

There was a general consensus that the school needs to find innovative ways to generate revenue and secure resources to maintain its excellence in education, research, and patient care.

Themes

• Research Funding: Concerns were raised about the future of research funding and the need for additional resources to support the school’s operations and growth. 
• Philanthropy and Industry Partnerships: A speaker emphasized the importance of building strong partnerships with various industries, elevating the role of philanthropy in securing funding and leveraging resources. Discussions also focused on exploring new strategies for increasing revenue streams to support the school’s mission and goals. 
• Immigration: Issues related to patients seeking care, particularly among immigrant populations, were raised.
• Facilities and Infrastructure: A speaker noted the need for modern facilities, expanding dental clinics, and updated infrastructure to support cutting-edge research, education, and patient care.
• Bureaucracy and Communication: There were concerns about bureaucratic hurdles and the need for improved communication and responsiveness within the university system.
• Data Sharing and Research: The value of creating centralized data banks to facilitate research collaboration and data sharing across different schools and departments was discussed.
• UCLA Strategic Plan: A speaker asked about the 2023-28 Strategic Plan deliverables and which specific strategic initiatives are being prioritized.
• Faculty and Student Recruitment: The importance of attracting and retaining top faculty and students was emphasized.