The calm appearance of dental faculty life belies the dynamic, fluid nature of faculty careers. The responsibilities, worries, and professional needs of beginning and experienced professors are distinctly different. A developmental framework can enhance a dental school's efforts to plan appropriate strategies for keeping faculty vital. (MSE)

To accurately assess the circumstances and needs of its faculty members, an institution must keep track of the factors that affect their professional performance. A modest investment of staff time and energy in gathering this information can pay generous dividends in the form of enhanced faculty morale, growth, and productivity. (Author/MSE)

The current knowledge about what distinguishes productive and vital faculty members from their less dynamic peers is considered, along with additional information needs. Most empirical evidence on faculty productivity concerns only research and publication. Information is inadequate about other forms of faculty achievement and vitality, including…