J Dent Educ. 73(9): 1065-1068 2009
© 2009 American Dental Education Association
The Servant Leader: A Higher Calling for Dental Professionals
Fred Certosimo, M.S.Ed., D.M.D.
Key words: leadership, manager, leading change, dental education
Submitted for publication 01/16/09;
accepted 05/08/09
The dental profession is guided by normative principles that provide guidance to our leaders and practicing dentists in addressing the needs of patients and the profession, yet there is room for incorporating new ideas that help dental professionals meet their professional obligations. The purpose of this essay is to discuss the concept of "servant leadership," especially in contrast with "self-serving leaders," and to suggest that servant leadership is consistent with the high ethical and professional ideals of the dental profession. The servant leader is the antithesis of the self-serving leader, who incessantly seeks more power and acquisition of material possessions. The servant leader’s highest priority is the people (patients/students/customers) he or she serves. The concept of the servant-leader can take us away from self-serving, top-down leadership and encourage us to think harder about how to respect, value, and motivate people and ultimately provide better service to our patients.
Copyright © 2009 by the American Dental Education Association.
