The University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry invites an innovative, collaborative, and visionary clinical leader to serve as its inaugural Chief Dental Officer (CDO), a pivotal leadership role arriving at a moment of historic growth, strategic transformation, and renewed commitment to advancing oral health. Reporting directly to the Dean, the CDO will provide patient care and serve as the senior clinical executive responsible for shaping the college's clinical vision for its faculty practice, leading its expanding care-delivery enterprise, and elevating its excellence in patient care, community engagement, and academic-clinical integration.
As Oklahoma’s only dental school, the College is revitalizing its mission to expand access to care, improve health outcomes, and serve communities across the state—from metropolitan centers to rural regions—through high-quality, patient-centered, evidence-based dentistry. The Chief Dental Officer will champion this mission as an entrepreneurial leader, advancing accessibility, excellence, and innovation by shaping clinical operations, care models, and community partnerships. Joining the College during the development of a new state-of-the-art faculty practice, the CDO will play a central role in launching the clinic, strengthening clinical standards, recruiting and developing faculty, and deepening integration with the OU Health system. By fostering collaboration across health professions and representing the College in systemwide clinical and population health strategy, the CDO has a unique opportunity to elevate oral health standards and expand access to high-quality care for Oklahomans statewide.
The successful candidate will demonstrate excellence in direct patient care, clinical leadership, operational oversight, and strategic planning within a complex healthcare or academic health sciences environment. This individual will work closely with faculty clinicians, program leaders, and system partners to ensure patient-centered, high-quality, and financially sustainable clinical operations that align with the College’s educational mission and service commitments.
Candidates must hold a DDS or DMD degree, be eligible for licensure in Oklahoma, and bring substantial experience in direct patient care delivery, clinical practice and leadership. Experience with faculty practice development, clinical operations, or health‑system integration is highly desirable. Academic experience is welcome but not required; however, candidates should demonstrate the capacity to contribute to an academic health‑science setting and collaborate effectively with faculty, residents, and students. Successful candidates will be prepared to play a major strategic and administrative leadership role within a large, complex, public health‑sciences institution.
Minimum Qualifications:
· DDS or DMD degree from a CODA‑accredited institution and eligibility for licensure in the state of Oklahoma.
· At least 7 years of clinical practice experience, preferably in a multi‑provider, group, or health‑system environment.
· Demonstrated leadership experience in clinical operations, practice management, or health‑care administration (e.g., clinical director, practice leader, chief clinical officer, or similar role).
· Proven ability to oversee daily clinical workflows, operational systems, and quality‑assurance standards.
· Experience supervising clinical staff, managing teams, and leading culture‑building initiatives in patient‑care settings.
· Demonstrated commitment to patient‑centered care, health equity, and community engagement.
· Familiarity with compliance, risk management, safety protocols, and regulatory frameworks relevant to dental clinical operations.
Preferred Qualifications:
· Experience launching, expanding, scaling, and modernizing a dental clinic, including facilities planning, remodeling oversight, and practice start‑up operations.
· Experience developing or managing a faculty practice or multi-site dental service line.
· Background working within an academic health‑center environment or partnering with interprofessional clinical teams.
· Understanding of payer mix strategy, billing models, revenue‑cycle operations, and financial performance management in dental practices.
· Demonstrated success establishing clinical protocols, productivity benchmarks, and quality‑improvement initiatives.
· Experience engaging with community organizations, public agencies, or safety‑net providers to expand access to care.
· Knowledge of CODA standards and an appreciation for how clinical environments support dental education (not required but beneficial).
The University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry has retained the national executive search firm Isaacson, Miller to assist in the search. All applications, inquiries, and nominations, which will remain confidential, should be directed to the search firm as indicated.
Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website:
Chief Dental Officer | Isaacson, Miller
Electronic submission of materials is strongly encouraged.
If you experience any issues, please contact Maria Pena, Senior Search Coordinator with Isaacson, Miller at mpena@imsearch.com
The University, in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, gender identity/expression (consistent with applicable law), age (40 or older), religion, disability, political beliefs, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, housing, financial aid, and educational services.
Why You Belong at the University of Oklahoma:
The University of Oklahoma values our community's unique talents, perspectives, and experiences. At OU, we aspire to harness our innovation, creativity, and collaboration for the advancement of people everywhere. You Belong Here!
Mission of the University of Oklahoma:
The Mission of the University of Oklahoma is to provide the best possible educational experience for our students through excellence in teaching, research and creative activity, and service to the state and society.
