In Dentists Mary Rechtoris 

University of Washington School of Dentistry dean resigns as deficit totals $36M: 5 key points

Joel Berg, DDS, resigned from his position as dean of University of Washington School of Dentistry in Seattle, according to Seattle Times.

Here are five things to know:

1. Serving as dean since 2012, Dr. Berg has managed the dental school as debt has been accumulating. The dental school currently has a deficit totaling $36 million.

2. Seattle Times reports some have recommended Dr. Berg's replacement due to his part in insufficiently managing the school's finances. Dr. Berg built a new center for pediatric dentistry, which has led to substantial losses for University of Washington School of Dentistry.

3. Provost Jerry Baldasty said the dental school's debt is a result from offering care to uncompensated and undercompensated care for Medicaid patients. In an email to staff, Mr. Baldasty stated Dr. Berg is resigning to allow the school to have "fresh leadership to resolve its urgent financial challenges."

4. Washington State Executive Ethics Board found reasonable cause earlier this year that Dr. Berg violated the state's Ethics in Public Service Act by using public resources for private gain. The dental school stated this claim did not play a role in Dr. Berg's resignation.

5. Additionally, the board found Dr. Berg used his school email account in 468 instances not pertaining to his position as dean.

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