Vision, Mission, Core Values
Vision
Lead the nation in community-based oral health education, research, patient care and service.
Mission
Develop leaders with a passion to care for the underserved and improve the health of North Carolina and the nation by:
- Preparing leaders with outstanding clinical skills, an ethical bearing, sound judgment, and a passion to serve.
- Providing educational opportunities for academically qualified individuals from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds, underserved communities, and rural areas.
- Providing and enhancing oral health services for underserved North Carolinians through implementation of community-oriented service learning and interprofessional collaborations.
- Fostering a welcoming environment where collaboration, creativity, and professionalism are embraced.
- Influencing future clinical practice and dental education through research, innovation, and discovery.
Core Values
Integrity
- We do what is right legally and morally.
- We carry out actions with honesty and trustworthiness.
- We model ethical and moral behavior as a lifelong habit.
Excellence
- We develop professionals through rigorous academic education, service learning, and practical training.
- We adhere to the highest standards of evidence-based dentistry and clinical judgement.
- We provide teaching and research opportunities utilizing best practice techniques.
- We reach our full potential through continuous self-assessment while providing quality,
comprehensive patient-centered care.
Service
- We relate to others with selfless caring in all interactions.
- We live life with a commitment to service.
- We contribute to the betterment of our community and society.
Respect and Engagement
- We foster a culture in which we treat all individuals with respect, dignity and compassion.
- We treat all individuals with dignity and respect.
- We protect the feelings, rights, traditions, values and worth of all individuals.
- We commit to removing barriers and providing access to quality, comprehensive
healthcare.
Innovation
- We foster a culture of innovation and creativity that attracts and retains the best thinkers.
- We embrace new and creative ideas that improve mission aligned outcomes.