Interview with Ralph DeLong

Abstract

Ralph DeLong begins his interview by describing his choices regarding his education and early career. He discusses his time in the University of Minnesota’s Dental School, his decisions regarding dental research and practice; his master’s research; the building of the artificial mouth; the development of AnSur software; and the creation of the virtual dental patient; and the development of ART 5. The interview then turns toward teaching and administration within the school, particularly touching on the teaching of evidence-based dentistry; student-friendly teaching; retrenchment within the Dental School and the University more broadly; and lobbying the Legislature. He then describes the following: relations among departments within the Dental School; relations among different schools and colleges within the AHC; the tenures of Richard Oliver and Richard Elzay as deans; the threatened closure of the Dental School; his time on the Institutional Effectiveness Committee; efforts within the School to admit more minority students; the impact of the Rajender Consent Decree; Michael Till’s tenure as dean; and his time with professional organizations. He concludes his interview with his thoughts on the future of dentistry and leadership in the AHC.