PORTLAND, ME / NEW YORK, NY, USA: Thanks to the financial support of Northeast Delta Dental and other contributors, a new dental college is on track to be established in the northeastern United States. The University of New England (UNE) recently announced the lead gift of US$2.3 million from Northeast Delta Dental for the UNE College of Dental Medicine.
UNE plans to establish a college of dental medicine that will address both the issue of access to care and the need for more oral health professionals in the region. UNE’s College of Dental Medicine will emphasize community dentistry, dental public health and prevention, excellence in clinical dentistry, an integrated health care approach to dental education, and population-based health research.
Kathleen Taggersell, director of marketing & communications at UNE, said the dental college is in its fund-raising stage of planning and that UNE must first secure the funds to make the college a reality.
“Our estimated project start-up costs are US$15 million, and hiring of senior faculty and administrators to prepare for accreditation, curriculum, recruitment and clinical affiliations would begin in 2011, with an anticipated first class in 2012,” Taggersell told Dental Tribune.
“Centralized early education of dental students will take place at our Portland campus, and third-year practice at the College’s Portland teaching clinic,” Taggersell said. “Students will then have fourth-year extensive community-based clinical experiences in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.”
Northeast Delta Dental is the largest provider of dental benefits in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Its gift is the largest to date that UNE has received in support of the establishment of a college of dental medicine, which reflects Northeast Delta Dental’s tri-state commitment to this important initiative.
“Good oral health and access to oral health care are two significant public health concerns. We believe the establishment of a dental college in Maine will increase access to oral health education and services throughout Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, the states in which we invest corporate funds, and in which the Northeast Delta Dental Foundation awards grants,” said Tom Raffio, president and CEO of Northeast Delta Dental, in a press release announcing the financial contribution.
“Northeast Delta Dental is proud to provide this leadership gift in support of the UNE College of Dental Medicine,” Raffio said.
Delta Dental Plan of Maine has donated US$2 million, the Northeast Delta Dental Foundation provided a US$100,000 grant and Delta Dental Plan of Vermont and Delta Dental Plan of New Hampshire have recently awarded an additional US$100,000 each in support of the college, bringing the total gift to US$2.3 million.
“This substantial and incredibly generous gift from Northeast Delta Dental provides a huge boost to our effort to make the UNE College of Dental Medicine a reality,” said Harley Knowles, UNE vice president for institutional advancement.
The Maine Legislature in April 2010 approved a US$5 million bond package that goes to voters 2 November for the purpose of increasing access to dental care in Maine. Of that US$5 million, US$3.5 million is to be used for a community-based teaching dental clinic affiliated with or operated by a college of dental medicine to be matched by US$3.5 million in other funds, and US$1.5 million is to be used to create or upgrade community-based health and dental care clinics across the state to increase their capacity as teaching and dental clinics.
“If voters approve the referendum, UNE will be in a strong position to compete for the US$3.5 million to be used for a college of dental medicine clinic,” Taggersell said.
PORTLAND, MAINE, USA: The University of New England (UNE) has been awarded $3.5 million from the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention for its ...
PORTLAND, MAINE: University of New England (UNE) President Danielle N. Ripich, PhD, has announced the appointment of the new Dean of the College of Dental ...
PORTLAND, Maine, USA: University of New England celebrated the opening of the first dental school in northern New England on Wednesday with a formal ...
PORTLAND, Maine, USA: For over a decade, oral health stakeholders and concerned residents in Maine have been developing a comprehensive plan to respond to ...
PORTLAND, Maine, USA: Maine’s shortage of dentists, especially in rural areas, is expected to grow over the next 10 years as many dentists retire. To ...
PORTLAND, Maine, USA: The University of New England community was deeply saddened by the death of James B. Hanley, DMD, dean of the College of Dental ...
PORTLAND, MAINE, USA: The University of New England (UNE) has announced that its masters of public health program has received accreditation from the ...
NEW YORK, USA: Miracle Corners of the World (MCW), will hold its sixth annual Gala Dinner on Tuesday, 13 April, at the New York University Kimmel Center, ...
KANSAS CITY, Mo., USA: Kansas City University (KCU), with a 105-year history of improving the well-being of the communities it serves, held a ceremonial ...
PORTLAND, Maine, USA: University of New England’s dental hygiene program is celebrating 50 years since the graduation of its first class in 1963. A ...
Live webinar
Thu. 18 July 2024
8:00 PM EST (New York)
Live webinar
Tue. 6 August 2024
6:00 PM EST (New York)
Live webinar
Tue. 13 August 2024
7:00 PM EST (New York)
Live webinar
Wed. 14 August 2024
12:30 PM EST (New York)
Live webinar
Wed. 21 August 2024
9:00 AM EST (New York)
Dr. Jim Lai DMD, MSc(Perio), EdD, FRCD(C)
Live webinar
Wed. 28 August 2024
8:00 PM EST (New York)
Live webinar
Mon. 2 September 2024
5:00 AM EST (New York)
To post a reply please login or register