UNE STEPS UP FUNDRAISING EFFORTS TO MAKE COLLEGE OF DENTAL MEDICINE A REALITY
UNE STEPS UP FUNDRAISING EFFORTS TO MAKE COLLEGE OF DENTAL MEDICINE A REALITY BIDDEFORD, Maine On November 2, Maine residents voted yes in support of Question #2, which allows the issuance of a $5 million bond to increase access to
UNE STEPS UP FUNDRAISING EFFORTS TO MAKE COLLEGE OF DENTAL MEDICINE
A REALITY
BIDDEFORD, Maine On November 2, Maine residents voted yes in support of
Question #2, which allows the issuance of a $5 million bond to increase
access to dental care in Maine. This is in response to the well-documented
critical shortage of dental professionals in Maine and northern New England,
and the lack of a dental school in the region.
The University of New England (UNE) plans to establish a College of Dental
Medicine that will address both access to care as well as the need for more
oral health professionals in the state. In November 2008, UNE¹S board of
trustees approved the academic program for the Doctor of Dental Medicine
degree, and charged the university with securing the necessary funds to
launch the college.
UNE President Danielle N. Ripich states, ³On November 2, Maine voters
affirmed the need for dental access in our state and expressed hope for a
solution. By moving forward with our plans to open Maine¹s first dental
school, UNE will continue its leadership role to educate students for the
health sciences in the 21st century, while simultaneously addressing the
state¹s most pressing health care workforce needs.²
The $5 million bond allocates $3.5 million to establish a dental school¹s
community-based teaching clinic and $1.5 million to expand or create dental
clinics around the state. The competitive award process for these funds
will soon be under way, and UNE is in position to apply for the $3.5 million
to establish a dental school.
Even if awarded, UNE must raise additional funds to make the UNE College of
Dental Medicine a reality, and it has an active campaign under way. Earlier
this year, UNE received a lead gift of $2.3 million from Northeast Delta
Dental in support of the UNE College of Dental Medicine. With the addition
of other generous gifts and pledges, UNE has secured $6.5 million toward
launching the college, but to open its doors in fall 2012, up to $20 million
is needed.
³As we prepare our application for state bond funds and for accreditation,
it is essential that we continue our successful fundraising to demonstrate
the capacity to open and sustain the new college,² says, Kneka P. Smith, UNE
associate dean for planning.
Named one of the best regional universities in America by US News & World
Report, UNE is a leader in health sciences education and biomedical
research, offering student-centered, interdisciplinary programs in the
College of Osteopathic Medicine, Westbrook College of Health Professions,
College of Arts and Sciences, College of Pharmacy, and College of Graduate
Studies.