{"id":136318,"date":"2026-10-15T13:21:07","date_gmt":"2026-10-15T18:21:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/?p=136318"},"modified":"2026-10-15T13:21:07","modified_gmt":"2026-10-15T18:21:07","slug":"dr-vacek-private-practice-experience-a-boon-in-new-role","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/2026\/10\/15\/dr-vacek-private-practice-experience-a-boon-in-new-role\/","title":{"rendered":"Dr. Vacek: private practice experience a boon in new role"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Craig Vacek, DDS, is moving what he called “from strength to strength” and hopping on a new growth curve in his career. He\u2019s served for 25 years in private practice and still loves it, but teaching at the UNMC College of Dentistry, shepherding its practice management course, showed him some new possibilities. Could becoming more involved with dental education allow him to \u201cmultiply\u201d his impact on the dental profession?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt this point in my career,\u201d Dr. Vacek said, \u201cI saw it as a chance to affect a lot of young dentists in a positive way.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And so, Dr. Vacek recently accepted a faculty position at the UNMC College of Dentistry as its assistant dean of clinics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though he is new to academia, he and college leaders believe his extensive experience in private practice will help prepare UNMC\u2019s dental students for their future profession. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have a lot to learn, but I think that experience is viewed as a real positive and I’m confident it truly can be,\u201d Dr. Vacek said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having served for decades in private practice \u201cgives you great insight into the layered roles of a practicing dentist, and the type of clinicians needed to go out into the world,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe reason I teach is to further of mission of creating world-class clinicians.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Vacek, who has Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, wants students to know that running a financially sustainable business is not at odds with being a great clinician. In fact, he said, it\u2019s the solid foundation that allows a dentist more freedom to make the right decisions for patients. And, to invest in the newest technology and best clinicians and staff. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s another way he believes his private practice experience will be beneficial to UNMC\u2019s future dentists. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere\u2019s something to the fact that it\u2019s good for our students to learn from doctors who have walked in those shoes,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI hope they can learn from some of my mistakes-every dental career has both strikes and gutters along the way.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Vacek will still see patients each week \u2013 which he also believes to be beneficial. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have a dean who spends time in the clinic, which speaks volumes,\u201d he said of his new boss, Dean Gerry Kugel, DMD, PhD.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Vacek has a son and daughter at the college, in dental school and the dental hygiene program. \u201cIt\u2019s really exciting to me,\u201d he said. \u201cI haven\u2019t had a spot where my kids can pop in and see me at work.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, he is looking to the future. \u201cThe puzzle pieces are in place,\u201d he said of the college. And he is happy to have become one of them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis place is about creating dentists who will serve Nebraska and way beyond and we want them to go out and be great.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

New assistant dean of clinics hopes to prepare future dentists, having “been there and done 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