What inspired you to become part of the dental profession?
The critical influence on someone's decision to enter the oral health profession can come at any time. I looked at where I could make the most impact and wanted more independence. I was good at working with my hands, and I wanted more interaction with people. Many of my college classmates entered into health care profession schools immediately after graduation, and that influenced my career decision. I made my decision to become a dentist eight years after I graduated from college. Now I am one of the few African American deans in the 56 dental schools across the country.

How long have you been involved in the profession?
In my dental career I have gone through various changes. When I first finished school I wanted to direct a community clinic to serve the underserved community. Then I realized I wanted to be more competent in managing medically compromised patients, and I enjoyed teaching. In 1980, I decided to pursue a field in academics. After I had been on the faculty at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine for 15 years there was a change in deanship. After serving as the interim dean for six months, I was asked to become dean in 1996. That really changed my career. I went from teaching courses and supervising students in the clinic and operating room to 80 percent administration and fund-raising. One day a week I am still involved with private practice at the school's Dental Faculty Practice and at the New England Medical Center Hospital.

I've always enjoyed patient practice -- making diagnoses and delivering care to restore health. When you work as a dean you have a much broader scope. You need communication skills and trust to get people to work as a team to accomplish goals. A big impact is made when decisions for change affect clinical operations and dental education in the entire school. Planning with your team does not always lead to immediate results. Thus, administration and patient care for me is a balance between long-term major advancements with widespread involvement and short-term results that affect individuals.

What is your specialty, and how did you get there?
Oral and maxillofacial surgery. In anything, it's not only the procedures performed, but also the mentors that attract you to the profession. I work between the office and hospital, and get more involved in anesthesia technique and patient management. I have performed minor surgeries such as the removal of impacted teeth and placement of dental implants, and major surgeries in the hospital involving facial trauma, facial birth and growth defects, and even served as a consult on heart-transplant patients. Physicians consult with my faculty to determine if there are decaying teeth in organ-transplant patients, which may cause acute infections resulting in complications to the transplant. There is a direct relationship of oral health to systemic health.

What do you like best about working in the field?
When I can offer people opportunities and make them aware of the value of oral health. It makes me feel successful to see a diversity of students succeeding. I like being associated with a school that is a leader in dental education. We are creating ethical professionals by providing good advice and guidance.

How do you address health care disparities among minority populations within your profession?
Dental schools are commonly located in the inner city. The services cost less, and we tend to accept insurance plans with reduced payment rates in order to provide care to low-income, underserved populations. So dental schools become primary providers for the underserved. Because we are a teaching institution, we work with people who are severely medically compromised and with special needs.

Tufts is the second-largest dental school in America. We see more than 400 patients a day over three sessions. We have 150 students per class. At the university we have been very strong in recruiting African American and Hispanic students. Of the 4,000 students entering dental schools each year, only about 200 are African American and 300 are Hispanic -- very few per school. I am one of a few African American deans in all of the 56 dental schools. I want to be seen as a role model to influence underrepresented minority students into dental careers. I let them know that this is a possibility.

What, if any, barriers or challenges have you personally had to overcome?
I am very fortunate to have the mentors and people who cared enough to give me opportunities and challenged me with responsibility so I could grow. Within the Tufts community everyone has been very supportive. I am only one of two full-time African American faculty members at our school. In spite of that, I was put on committees, promoted and evaluated on performance without bias. I feel very proud that people would entrust me to be a dean of a predominately white school.

What are the greatest challenges within the profession?
When you look at the overall challenges, it has to be dental education. Tuition is high. Student indebtedness is extremely high. Not many graduates are going into academic careers because the initial direct pay is not as significant as private practice. People need to be aware of the opportunities and long-term benefits of dental academic careers.

What are your proudest accomplishments in your profession? In your life?
It all has to do with timing. I am fortunate to have had great things happen to me in my life. I am proud that I was the second person in my family to finish college. I am proud to have been accepted and graduated from Harvard Dental School. I am proud that I chose oral surgery, which is considered one of the most demanding specialties. I am proud that I passed the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, to be a Diplomate. I am proud that I am a tenured professor, and I am extremely proud to be appointed dean of Tufts, a leading university. I am proud that this year I am the chair of the Council of Deans of the American Dental Education Association. All of these are things that don't happen to a lot of people. I'm still growing and things are still happening to me. Each one has been a platform to the next. I've taken opportunities and made the best of them, and provided opportunities to other people along the way. Being able to help others brings me the most joy.

Who is/are your role model(s) or mentor(s)?
My wife, Donna, has been one of my strongest supporters and very influential on my life. I am pleased to have been happily married for 37 years. To have stability in your life and see your wife and children do well -- that's something. In my academic career, H. Chris Doku, distinguished professor and former chair of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, was my mentor for career development.

What are your plans for the future?
The future involves using my position as dean to address the challenges of dental education, provide health career opportunities to a diverse student body, and to be an influence on overcoming disparities of oral health for underserved populations. I see myself always being a consultant, a mentor, someone who wants to make improvements in the educational process. A person in service.

What words of wisdom do you have for students just graduating?
Always remember core values -- mutual respect for self and patient, integrity, maintain work ethics, accept responsibility, communicate truthfully and openly, understand value of teamwork, get involved completely.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love to travel, particularly Italy in the Tuscany area. Since becoming dean, my hobby has been oral surgery. I also follow sports very closely -- pro football and college basketball.