The University of New England (UNE) in Portland, ME, is celebrating the opening of the first dental school in northern New England.
The October 2 dedication ceremony included tours of the College of Dental Medicine's Oral Health Center, the teaching clinic and dental simulation facility, according to the university.
The inaugural class of 64 includes 24 students from Maine, representing 11 counties and more than 20 towns. There are five students from New Hampshire, four from Vermont, and other students representing 16 states in addition to Canada.
Construction provided about 300 local jobs at 45 companies in construction, manufacturing, trade, transportation, and other services.
UNE President Danielle Ripich, PhD, thanked Northeast Delta Dental, which donated $2.3 million, and leaders and citizens of Maine who approved a bond providing $3.5 million to establish the school.
Faculty and students will provide about 15,000 patient visits annually in the Oral Health Center and 25,000 visits annually in the community-based network.
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