Dental educators' attitudes toward academic life are examined through structured, in-depth interviews with 122 full- and part-time faculty at Indiana University School of Dentistry. Results showed that the major reasons for choosing an academic career were influence of a faculty member or dean, interest in the subject matter, economics, and a means to keep current in the field. The satisfactions of an academic career included relationships with students, the act of teaching, and interactions with colleagues. The major dissatisfactions included: effects of financial cutbacks; lack of recognition and reward (non-salary); lack of time for research, teaching and service responsibilities; and low salary. Among the satisfactions with the Indiana University School of Dentistry were academic challenge and freedom, relationships with colleagues, the school's national reputation, and relationships with students. Dissatisfactions with the school involved the decline in the quality of education offered, effects of financial cutbacks, low salary, and administrative and departmental organizational problems. More than three-fourths of the respondents had no systematic method for assessing their teaching effectiveness. Research was reported as the major criterion for awarding tenure and promotion although two-thirds indicated their major interest and involvement was in teaching activities. The questionnaire is appended. (Author/MSE)