Ohio Dental School Holds Groundbreaking Ceremony
By Fay Harvey听听
ROOTSTOWN, Ohio 鈥 Though initial construction on Northeast Ohio Medical University鈥檚 $25 million Bitonte College of Dentistry began months ago, administrators and trustees recently celebrated progress in a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony.听
When complete, Bitonte College of Dentistry will be the first public dental college in Northeast Ohio and will add to 1973 founded NEOMED鈥檚 repertoire of medical studies, including medicine, pharmacy and doctoral degrees and research opportunities in additional medical and life science areas. 听
The design for the clinical and learning spaces in the new college has been finalized and both simulation labs and community dental clinics are projected to be operational next year, with Ohio-based DeSalvo Construction as construction manager.听
Frank Beck, inaugural dean of the Bitonte College of Dentistry, spoke on the importance of dental education and workforce enrichment at the ceremony, according to a statement by NEOMED.听
鈥淭he Ohio Dental Association has identified oral health as the number one unmet health care need for Ohioans. Dental conditions represent the number one reason patients present in hospital emergency departments鈥 he said. 鈥… we stand here today to address Ohio鈥檚 dental emergency.鈥听
The college will welcome its first class of students in fall 2025. 听