Dr. Eisner’s career in dental education began at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in 1971. In 1979 he joined Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Dentistry where he was Associate Professor of pediatric and community dentistry and the first Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs. During his time at Dalhousie University, Dr. Eisner designed and implemented the school’s curriculum and new clinic information system, and conceived and developed the ACFD Summer Teaching and Management Institutes which for many years were a foundation for faculty development in Canada.
In 1989, Dr. Eisner joined the faculty at the University of Buffalo School of Dental Medicine where he published, with several other colleagues, the initial description of a computer-based oral health record and also developed a software program [system] that would streamline the admissions process. This program was soon made available for use by other dental schools and many other health professions and is currently used by approximately 3000 health professions schools and programs. More recently, Dr. Eisner has developed an accreditation management system that has been adopted by 10 accrediting agencies and more than 3000 of their accredited schools and programs in the USA. Dr. Bruce Graham, Dean at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry and former professor at Dalhousie University remarked that “John Eisner is the only colleague I have known who has made a truly transformative impact on dental education.”
Dr. Eisner will be presented with the ACFD Distinguished Service Award in March 2012. This Award recognizes individuals or groups who have made significant contributions to dental education in Canada.
