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Australian Dental Journal, February, I963 19 Academic and research careers K. J. G. Sutherland, M.B., B.S. (Melb.), M.D.Sc. (Melb. and W.A.), L.D.S. (Vic.), F.D.S.R.C.S. (Edin.), F.I.C.D. Professor of Dental Science and Dean of the Faculty of Dental Science, The University of Western Australia Academic and research careers are two aspects of dentistry which have been con- sistently overlooked by students and young graduates alike, yet their importance is such that the very survival of the dental profession depends on their preservation, and it is indeed unfortunate that finance is the under- lying reason for this serious trend. Some years ago, the rewards of academic work and the research which accompanied it were considered rich enough in themselves to attract academically accomplished idealists who, with little thought of financial gain, accepted the immense personal satisfaction derived from their work as adequate compensa- tion for a relatively poor income. Nevertheless, there were many well qualified and enthusiastic persons who because of personal commitments simply could not afford the “luxury” of an academic life and accordingly considerable talent was lost to the universities. Concomitantly, dental research also suffered because this was largely carried out by an academic staff severely handicapped both financially and by the time available over and above that required for routine undergraduate teaching; or by a handful of dedicated practi- tioners who, financing themselves and in their own time, indulged in formal research at a university, usually with a view to obtaining a senior degree. This meant great personal sacrifice both in time and money which only a comparatively few dedicated men were able or prepared to accept. Dentistry was, of course, not alone here and many other university disciplines suffered In the same way to an extent that in a rapidly progressing world with materialistic gain tending to form the yardstick of success and status in the community, a general decline in academic standards became a real fear of the universities and the need for some positive action became abundantly apparent. The low academic salaries, the poor teaching facilities, the tremendously heavy teaching loads acting to the detriment of research, and industry offering comparatively high salaries for qualified university graduates, all made it increasingly difficult to attract suitably qualified persons to university vacancies, if indeed any at all in many instances. The need for some reform to halt this serious trend was recognized by the Prime Minister of Australia who appointed a special committee, led by Sir Keith Murray to investigate all aspects of the university prob- lem and it is perhaps more than coincidence that very soon after Russia’s announcement of the successful launching of the world’s first artificial satellite, the Federal Government approved the recommendations of the Murray Committee and amongst other things immedi- ately raised its grant to the State universities from a sum of about 26,000,000 for the three- year period ending in 1957 to approximately E22,000,000 for the 1958-60 triennium. Out of the Murray Report, the Australian Universities Commission was born and this body which views the needs of Australian universities as a whole is attempting to ensure that never again will the universities be forgotten. Already vast building programmes are in progress in all universities in the Common- wealth and staff establishments, amenities, and academic salaries are slowly improving, together with conditions of accommodation for teaching and research. Dental Science, now as an accepted discipline within a university community, although still regarded as somewhat of a Cinderella, has

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Page 1: Academic and research careers

Australian Dental Journal, February, I963 19

Academic and research careers

K. J. G. Sutherland, M.B., B.S. (Melb.), M.D.Sc. (Melb. and W.A.), L.D.S. (Vic.), F.D.S.R.C.S. (Edin.), F.I.C.D.

Professor of Dental Science and Dean of the Faculty of Dental Science, The University of Western Australia

Academic and research careers a re two aspects of dentistry which have been con- sistently overlooked by students and young graduates alike, yet their importance is such that the very survival of the dental profession depends on their preservation, and it is indeed unfortunate that finance is the under- lying reason for this serious trend.

Some years ago, the rewards of academic work and the research which accompanied it were considered rich enough in themselves to attract academically accomplished idealists who, with little thought of financial gain, accepted the immense personal satisfaction derived from their work as adequate compensa- tion for a relatively poor income. Nevertheless, there were many well qualified and enthusiastic persons who because of personal commitments simply could not afford the “luxury” of an academic life and accordingly considerable talent was lost to the universities.

Concomitantly, dental research also suffered because this was largely carried out by a n academic staff severely handicapped both financially and by the time available over and above that required for routine undergraduate teaching; or by a handful of dedicated practi- tioners who, financing themselves and in their own time, indulged in formal research at a university, usually with a view to obtaining a senior degree. This meant great personal sacrifice both in time and money which only a comparatively few dedicated men were able or prepared to accept.

Dentistry was, of course, not alone here and many other university disciplines suffered In the same way to a n extent that in a rapidly progressing world with materialistic gain tending to form the yardstick of success a n d status in the community, a general

decline in academic standards became a real fear of the universities and the need for some positive action became abundantly apparent. The low academic salaries, the poor teaching facilities, the tremendously heavy teaching loads acting to the detriment of research, and industry offering comparatively high salaries for qualified university graduates, all made it increasingly difficult to attract suitably qualified persons to university vacancies, if indeed any at all in many instances.

The need for some reform to halt this serious trend was recognized by the Prime Minister of Australia who appointed a special committee, led by Sir Keith Murray to investigate all aspects of the university prob- lem and i t is perhaps more than coincidence that very soon after Russia’s announcement of the successful launching of the world’s first artificial satellite, the Federal Government approved the recommendations of the Murray Committee and amongst other things immedi- ately raised its grant to the State universities from a sum of about 26,000,000 for the three- year period ending in 1957 to approximately E22,000,000 for the 1958-60 triennium. Out of the Murray Report, the Australian Universities Commission was born and this body which views the needs of Australian universities as a whole is attempting to ensure that never again will the universities be forgotten. Already vast building programmes are i n progress in all universities in the Common- wealth and staff establishments, amenities, and academic salaries are slowly improving, together with conditions of accommodation for teaching and research.

Dental Science, now as a n accepted discipline within a university community, although still regarded as somewhat of a Cinderella, has

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20 Australian Dental Journal, February, I963

nevertheless been caught up in this stream and is also enjoying similar developments. While there is room for tremendous improvement suffice it to say that even now, conditions for academic life and (though to a much lesser extent) for dental research, are becoming sufficiently attractive for under- graduates and young graduates to be turning their attention more and more towards these two aspects of a dental career.

Academic careers One might well ask then, what are the

advantages and the opportunities of an academic career in dentistry within the Aus- tralian universities?

In the first place, living in a university community opens up paths of access to leading scholars in one’s own and other fields of knowledge. By contrast the practising pro- fessional man tends to live more of an isolationist existence, his main working con- tact with the outside world being through his immediate staff and patients, all of whom regard him as somewhat of a little monarch in their community. This, together with the remunerative rewards is, of course, very satisfying to a high percentage of professional men which is indeed fortunate, for without a doubt the general practitioner is the back- bone of the profession. However, a proportion of graduates derive limited personal satisfac- tion from such work and prefer the intellectual environment of a university position. A dental teacher has direct access to all other specialists in his field who either as full-time or part- time teachers form part of the staff of a dental school. Such contacts are tremendously stimulating and provide a constant jolt to a n attitude of complacency which is very apt to develop in the environment of private practice. Then too, other experts within the university community are readily available for discussion and information, as indeed are other univer- sity communities in the world where there exists a sense of comradeship and mutual understanding of one another’s problems, ideals, and goals.

Great opportunities exist in a dental school for keeping abreast of dental progress. This is achieved not only via the professional contacts already referred to and through a n excellent library, but also by regular sabbatical leave in which the staff member is encouraged or as in the case of the University of Western

Australia required to take regular leave abroad in order to keep fully informed of world developments in his particular field. Regular leave of this type normally taken for one year in every seven, or which on occasion may be taken for six months after three years, offers probably the best way of gathering up-to-date information by personal contact with one’s colleagues throughout the world.

The inherent joy of teaching and of the moulding of young minds from the immature and irresponsible stage to one of responsibility and maturity, ready to carry the burdens of private practice in the community, or perhaps in preparation for a brilliant academic career, can be one of unparalleled satisfac- tion. Others may prefer to concentrate more on the field of research or administration, but in fact all of these aspects of university work may be enjoyed in varying proportions according to the desires of the individual.

Naturally, there are certain personal attributes and academic qualifications which one must possess in order to qualify for an academic career, and i t is important to realize that with conditions of university life be- coming increasingly more attractive, competi- tion will increase and accordingly so must qualifications.

An open and enquiring mind capable of sound critical judgement, a thirst for and a love of learning, teaching, and research, and a contagious enthusiasm tempered with patience are most desirable qualities in those wishing to enter upon a n academic career. A further quality rather peculiar to dentistry is that of manual skill which must be possessed in a high degree in order to teach effectively and maintain the respect of one’s students.

In making a selection from applicants for a university post, reference is often made to the undergraduate phase of the applicant’s career and actually preference would be given to a n honours standard.

From this point onwards, the requisite senior qualifications depend on the exact nature of one’s aspirations. A senior dental degree together with clinical experience is always desirable and especially important if the graduate desires to become a teacher in one of the fields of clinical dentistry. A medical qualification is also an advantage but not mandatory in the field of oral medi-

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Australian Dental Journal, February, 1963 21

cine and oral surgery. If, on the other hand, the interest should lie in the para-clinical field, such as pathology, microbiology, or oral pathology, then, a Ph.D. in the specific field of interest is desirable. Essentially this is a research degree i n which one is trained under supervision in research methods, but a t the same time a deeper insight is obtained into the subject as a whole. The young graduate whose interest lies in the pre-clinical field such as anatomy, biochemistry, or physiology, might be well advised to turn his thoughts in the direction of a Science degree, majoring in the particular discipline of his interest. There are no hard and fast rules here but these suggestions will act as a general guide for graduates desiring to pursue their studies in the direction of a n academic career.

There is a growing tendency throughout the world, and a very desirable one, for dentally qualified graduates with a Ph.D. or a Science degree to conduct the under- graduate courses of the pre- and para-clinical subjects in the dental faculties. This is a n excellent trend because the teacher under-

assistantships and cover a two-year period during which time the graduate is required to devote approximately one-half of his time to clinical teaching and the remainder to research and study, preferably leading to a senior degree. Although the salary is not high, it does offer the appointee a n intro- duction to academic life and at the same time a n opportunity of proceeding to a senior degree. In addition it gives the University a chance of assessing the graduate’s suitability for this type of life, whilst simultaneously he is performing the useful service in the undergraduate school of relieving the more senior teachers of some of the routine teaching load to the benefit of research.

Vacancies for senior positions occur less frequently but even these, if one scans the daily newspapers, are not so rare, and the aspirant once prepared should keep a n alert eye for them as they arise, being prepared in the interim to mark time, perhaps either as a hospital employee or as a junior within the faculty, or in one of the part-time teaching positions of which there are approximately one hundred in Australia at the present time.

stands very much better what the I t should be clear, therefore, that even now dental student needs in the basic units of the ample opportunities exist for the right type course and accordingly may give emphasis of young graduate who seeks an academic and life to his subject by the introduction of career in dentistry and with the continued

growth of schools the situation can only some clinical thoughts into his teaching. What then are these various academic imDrove.

opportunities in the Australian universities? For the young graduate in possession of the necessary qualities and qualifications they may be said to be very good. With the promise of increasing enrolments within the dental schools and with thoughts already turning to the possibilities of second dental schools i n the larger cities, together with a n initial one in Tasmania, the number of opportunities can only be viewed with growing optimism.

I n Australia, there are five dental schools, and most universities are slowly recognizing the special needs of a dental school over and above those of other faculties, including medicine, and are taking steps to t ry to improve staff-student ratios. Even so, a t the present moment there are eleven chairs in the several dental schools, eleven readerships, twenty senior lectureships, twenty-two lecture- ships, and twenty-two junior appointments. These latter all have similar duties, although their titles vary from place to place. In Western Australia they are called graduate-

Research careers Except insofar as research activities are

considered to be part of one’s academic duties, research opportunities p e r se in the field of dental science in Australia a re unfortunately very much more limited.

The paucity of dental research emanating from this country is attributable to a lack of finance. A look at the figures of national expenditure on scientific research in Australia by comparison with the United Kingdom and the United States is revealing.(” In the U.S.A. the expenditure on scientific research is approximately 2.7 per cent of the gross national product, in the United Kingdom 2.4 per cent, whilst in Australia it reaches only 0.6 per cent.

A better appreciation of these figures can be gained by looking at the funds allocated to dental research in the United States of

Current Affairs Bulletin, 3 0 : No. 7 (Aug.) 1962.

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22 Australian Dental Journal, February, I963

America.(?) For example, in 1958 $6,327,800 were spent on dental research of which 75 per cent was contributed by the Federal Govern- ment, 1 3 per cent by the universities, 7 per cent by industry and the remaining 5 per cent by philanthropic and other bodies. By com- parison, Storeyc3) has estimated that the Aus- tralian figure is of the order of E35,000.

There does not appear to be any clear-cut policy in Australia for obtaining regular and definite financial aid for continued dental research, for in most instances grants are made from such bodies as the National Health and Medical Research Council and from general university research grants only for isolated and approved projects. Occasionally grants are made from State Governments or from State Councils for specific purposes but seldom from industry and practically never, as distinct from medicine, from philanthro- pists. It is therefore obvious that the oppor- tunities for careers in dental research in Australia are strictly limited, and con- sequently at the present time the number of published papers falls far short of that by other university departments and scientific bodies.

Generally speaking, it can be said that the major proportion of dental research in Aus- tralia stems from three main sources-the Institute of Dental Research in Sydney, the Commonwealth Bureau of Dental Standards in Melbourne, and from within the dental schools.

The Institute of Dental Research, founded in 1946, is financed by the Hospitals Com- mission of New South Wales but also receives support by way of advances for salary from the Dental Board of New South Wales and also from the National Health and Medical Research Council. In the Institute there are four senior permanent staff positions and these officers can devote the major part of their time to research.(')

Although the Commonwealth Bureau of Dental Standards publishes a high percentage

(2) American Council on Education. Commission on the survey of dentistry in the United States. Final Report. Washington, D.C., American Council on Education, 1961.

(3) Storey, E.-Research a s the key to teaching and the status of dentistry in Australia. Austral. D. J., 7 : 34-41 (Feb.) 1962.

(4 ) Knox, K.-Personal communication.

of all dental research papers in Australia, no establishment exists and no finance is avail- able for the full or part-time employment of research scholars. Even so, the facilities of the Bureau are made available for any graduate who wishes to carry out part-time research in the field of Dental Materials.

Within the Dental Schools, research emanates from several sources. Firstly from the mem- bers of the academic staff who should be responsible for a considerable volume of research but who, because of poor staff e s t a b lishments, can normally only conduct minor projects and supervise others. A rather greater volume of research, resulting in theses, is produced by graduates proceeding to a senior degree, such as the M.D.Sc., M.D.S., D.D.Sc. or Ph.D., and a little is published by a few practitioners who carry out limited part-time teaching and research within a dental school.

I t will be seen, therefore, that in Australia the opportunities for making a career of dental research, by which may be inferred that the graduate can spend a t least 80 per cent of his time on active research, are severely limited. It is not contemplated that this situation will always exist and the fact that Northern America is now attaching much greater importance to dental research and allocating much higher grants gives promise of better prospects for Australia.

A challenge The present situation with respect to

academic and research careers poses a challenge not only to Governments, univer- sities, public bodies, and individuals to supply the necessary finance, but also to the students and younger graduates to prepare themselves fully for all possible developments, many of which must eventuate if dentistry is to. survive in Australia.

I t is only in this way that the best brains will be attracted to the task of keeping the profession alive and progressive and on a plane which will properly serve the com- munity in its pressing needs for dental care.

Faculty of Dental Science, 179 Wellington Street,

Perth.