Should Dental Schools Consider Term Limits for Deans? Two Viewpoints

Abstract

This Point/Counterpoint article examines the idea of instituting term limits for dental school deans. Viewpoint 1 supports the use of term limits for dental school deans. According to evidence presented in this viewpoint, setting term limits for deans would foster new leadership development and utilization of skills, increase accountability and effectiveness, and promote diversity. Viewpoint 2 opposes the use of term limits for dental school deans. This viewpoint provides evidence about a steep learning curve for new deans, the need for leadership stability, potential loss of networking relationships, and the high cost of recruiting new deans.