Karl Self named 2024 Professor of the Year

Karl Self, DDS, MBA, associate professor and director of the Division of Dental Therapy and Interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, is the 2024 Century Club Professor of the Year.

Dean Keith Mays, DDS, MS, PhD, announced Self as the 2024 recipient of the award at Research Day on Friday, March 7.

Instituted by Dean Erwin Schaffer, DDS, in 1967, the Century Club Professor of the Year Award recognizes one faculty member each year for their outstanding contributions to the school in the areas of education, research and service. The award is one of the school’s greatest traditions and the highest honor bestowed upon a faculty member.

Each year, the honoree is selected by a committee chaired by the previous year’s award recipient, with faculty representation from each department and student participation from the graduate, dental, dental therapy and dental hygiene programs.

Self earned his DDS from the School of Dentistry in 1984 and his MBA in Strategic Management and Organization from the Carlson School of Business in 1992. He initially joined the School of Dentistry’s faculty in 1986. Prior to becoming a full-time faculty member in 2006, he spent 16 years with a University-owned community clinic, six of those years as its executive director. He has served as instructor, clinical assistant professor and clinical associate professor before achieving tenure in 2018.

The committee highlighted Self’s leadership in the field of dental therapy, including pioneering a national curriculum for dental therapists and leading the way for the School of Dentistry to be the first US dental school with a CODA-accredited Dental Therapy degree program. Self is an expert and national leader, providing guidance on dental therapy curriculum and the role of dental therapists in the oral health care team at professional meetings and congressional hearings. He also provides consultation to state health departments in addition to helping other dental therapy stakeholders plan implementation of dental therapy educational programs.

Self has contributed impactful research in his areas of expertise, including dental workforce issues, dental academics and dental therapy. He has a long history of being awarded numerous grants from University, state, federal, and foundation funders and has 19 peer reviewed journal articles. Self’s achievements in research and as a mentor have earned him several distinctions and honors, including the 2018 Chair of the ADEA Board of Directors Citation Award, the CTSI Outstanding Mentor of the Year Award-Honorable Mention, and the Minnesota Dental Therapy Association Lifetime Achievement Award.

As Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Self serves on a variety of committees and chairs the Educational Policy Committee. Additionally, he serves his community as a board member for a number of national and local nonprofit oral health organizations, has provided dental care in community clinics and is an active member of professional organizations.

Sheila Riggs, DDS, MS, DMSc, chair of the Department of Primary Dental Care, shared, “Dr. Self was charged with creating a new profession in the United States and today, dental therapists are successfully practicing and improving oral health across Minnesota because of his leadership. Thirteen other states have now passed laws allowing the practice of dental therapy: that is successful change management!”

In his remarks, Mays called Self “a leader who has charted new paths in education and training, earning him a national reputation for excellence,” sharing that one committee member said he “has transformed the delivery of care like few have in our profession.”

Congratulations to Karl Self, DDS, MBA, on being named the 2024 Professor of the Year.