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 Marquette University School of Dentistry – Pierre Fauchard Academy – Wisconsin Dental Association Mentor Program

MENTOR PROGRAM KICKOFF DINNERView photos from our 2019-2020 Mentor Program Kickoff Dinner

The 2021-22 school term marks the 27th year for the Marquette University School of Dentistry – Pierre Fauchard Academy – Wisconsin Dental Association Mentor Program.

If you are not a current mentor and would like to join, please click here to join.

How the program works

Through the Marquette University School of Dentistry – Pierre Fauchard Academy – Wisconsin Dental Association Mentor Program, student-protégés obtain counsel and guidance necessary to begin a career in the dental profession and are introduced to important individuals in the industry. Dentist-mentors are able to benefit from this type of professional relationship as well, staying apprised of practice sale population and the interests of soon-to-be new dentists.

The Mentor Program prides itself as being a great avenue for integrating the dentists of tomorrow with the dental community of today.

A practicing dentist is paired with each dental student, typically at the start of their first year, to develop a mentor-protégé relationship. When a dentist-mentor has multiple protégés, it’s natural for older student(s) to help mentor their younger classmates.

The program kicks off at the start of each school year with an annual dinner, allowing new mentors and protégés to meet for the first time, and creates a welcoming reconnection for all participants.

Each mentor-protégé pair defines how they want their relationship to progress, including how and when they are in contact. The WDA works with MUSoD and PFA to organize several learning and networking events throughout the school year, giving dentists and students the opportunity to connect in person and continue building their professional team. Informal and face-to-face communication is encouraged and strongly recommended for a successful experience.

 

Mentors and their paired protégés enjoy their meals at the annual MUSoD-PFA-WDA Kick-off Dinner at Marquette Alumni Union on Sept. 30, 2019

Upcoming events

Annual MUSoD-PFA-WDA Kick-off Dinner
Marquette Alumni Union
October 4, 2021

Please note that the above events are exclusive to Mentor Program participants only

Protégés’ responsibilities

  • Communicate openly and in a timely fashion.
  • Please respect mentor’s time by keeping appointments and commitments.
  • Express your expectations for the relationship.
  • Provide feedback to your mentor.
  • Share your thoughts about school, ask questions about entering into practice – learn about their experiences, both positive and negative.

Mentors’ responsibilities

  • Use personal experience and empathy to guide and advise your protégé(s).
  • Help your protégé(s) to explore different career possibilities.
  • Encourage your protégé(s) to develop a plan for the future.
  • Be available to your protégé(s) and invest the time and effort necessary to develop a successful mentor/protégé relationship.
  • Invite your protégé(s) to join you for one or more days of on-site shadowing, giving your protégé(s) the opportunity to experience a typical work day with real patients.
  • Promote professional activities, such as local component meetings, continuing education courses and meetings with dental suppliers and other professionals needed for a practice and a career (e.g., accountants, lawyers, bankers).
  • Share the benefits of being part of organized dentistry (American Dental Association, Wisconsin Dental Association and local dental society) and how professional camaraderie will be impactful throughout the entirety of their dental career.
  • Be a resource for all things regarding the dental profession (e.g., licensure requirements, OSHA requirements, etc).

Mentorship Benefits

  • Networking opportunities and planned activities with current and future colleagues.
  • Sharing experience and expertise, while learning about new techniques and trends.
  • Meeting a potential associate or future partners
  • Providing guidance and personal experience to contribute to your profession’s future success.
  • Giving back to the dental profession.
  • Staying apprised of changes in dental education.

What if the relationship doesn’t work?

If you feel that your assigned protégé or your assigned mentor has not fulfilled your expectations with the Mentor Program, please do not hesitate to contact Candice Wegner at the WDA or Linda Gleason at MUSoD. They will offer suggestions to improve communications or, if need be, complete a reassignment.  We take great effort in ensuring compatible pairings are made.

 

Contacts

Mentor Program Advisory Group 
Dr. Cheska Avery-Stafford, WDA Liaison [email protected]

Dr. Ken Geiger, PFA Liaison [email protected]

Dr. Angela Lueck, WDA Liaison [email protected]

Staff Liaisons

Candice Wegner, WDA Staff Liasion, [email protected] or via phone 414-755-4118

Linda Gleason, MUSoD Staff Liaison [email protected] or via phone 414-288-6577

Katie Koncki, MUSoD Staff Liaison [email protected] or via phone 414-288-3714

“It’s my belief that we all have something to share and to guide these students throughout their journey, whether it be as a sounding board or to take them to task to graduate on time, but mostly for them to realize that the profession they have chosen is fraught with possibilities and success.”

Dr. Glen Gequillana (Milwaukee)

“I started my career as a young dentist wanting to purchase a dental practice at the freshman alumni dinner in 1969. I asked Dr. Bucholtz to sponsor me and he asked if I would be interested in purchasing his practice at the dinner. I said, “Yes.” He took his practice off the market and waited until I graduated to sell it to me. We made a verbal agreement at the dinner to seal the deal. I do hope that when I step down some day, maybe my associate will keep the tradition going.”

Dr. Frank Galka (Milwaukee)

“The dentists I work with from other colleges wish their schools would have such a program. It’s a great thing for the students and mentors!”

Dr. Christopher Goettl (Bloomer)

“Be a part of the future of dentistry and provide yourself with the excitement of the dental profession that the students provide!”

Dr. Chris Johnson (Eau Claire)

“Being a mentor has been a wonderful opportunity to give back. I appreciate my mentor’s support years ago and have enjoyed the program immensely!”

 Dr. Michael Golovin (Milwaukee)