Social Worker Faculty Member Goldman School of Dental Medicine Office of Global Population Health

Key Responsibilities

• Provide psychosocial assessments and interventions for patients in the dental school’s clinical setting, addressing the variety of factors (socioeconomic, physical, behavioral, cultural) that may affect patients’ dental care and treatment.
• Work closely with faculty, dental students, and clinical teams to identify and address barriers to care, including anxiety, trauma, and other psychosocial barriers.
• Support patients facing challenges related to financial, family, and medical issues, offering care coordination and connecting them to resources such as housing supports, food assistance, and healthcare.
• Collaborate with BUSSW faculty and Practicum Education Department to identify and/or develop educational and professional opportunities for students.

• Collaborate with other faculty members to enhance the behavioral science curriculum and integrate that didactic content into patient care within the GSDM dental clinic.
• Provide lectures and seminars to dental students on topics such as psychosocial aspects of dental care, effective patient communication, cultural sensitivity and competence, and working with patients with disabilities, special needs, or complex social situations.
• Participate in clinic and grand rounds to discuss complex patient cases.
• Support dental students’ application of the behavioral science curriculum to patient care and assess their competency in this area through formative and summative evaluations.
• Supervise BUSSW students in their practicum placements at GSDM, providing guidance, mentorship, and feedback on their practice.
• Train and support social work students in developing competencies in the integration of social work principles with dental care.
• Evaluate and assess the progress of social work students, providing evaluations and conducting regular supervision to ensure educational goals are being met.

• Contribute to the academic communities of the University and Schools of Dental Medicine and Social Work through research, publications, and presentations at conferences.
• Explore funding opportunities for research or initiatives that aim to improve the integration of social work in dental education and practice.

• Contribute to the development, implementation, and evaluation of policies and programs that address the psychosocial needs of dental patients.

The position involves working in both clinical and classroom environments within the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine. The role may require occasional evening or weekend hours for outreach or community engagement activities.

• Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited institution.
• Licensed Social Worker (LCSW or LICSW) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or eligibility for licensure within a reasonable period.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of post-MSW professional experience in a clinical or educational social work setting, with experience in healthcare or dental settings preferred.
• Strong understanding of the psychosocial factors that influence health behavior, particularly in the context of health care.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary environment, with experience mentoring or teaching students.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to work effectively with diverse patient populations, dental professionals, and community organizations.

• Doctoral degree in social work or a related field.
• Experience working in a dental school or similar academic healthcare environment.
• Familiarity with social determinants of health and their impact on access to care.
• Experience in program development, research, or public health initiatives related to dental or healthcare social work.
• Knowledge of local and national community-based resources and services for underserved populations.

Please send CV and Cover Letter to:

Ms. Elizabeth Fay
Administrative Manager
Office of Global & Population Health
Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine
560 Harrison Ave, Suite 300
Boston, Massachusetts 02118
Email: erfay

Applicants should include the following:

• Cover letter or personal statement delineating qualifications and goals.
• Complete curriculum vitae.
• Names of three professional references with contact information. Reference letters are not requested at this time.

Boston University is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.