On July 21, 2003 dental history will be made in Arizona when the state’s first dental school opens its doors to an inaugural class of 54 students. The Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ASDOH) will be the third new dental school to open in the country in 25 years. This much-needed school will prepare future dentists to address the oral health care needs among underserved communities in the United States, particularly in the Southwest region. “Oral health is an integral part of overall health, and there are underserved populations here in Arizona and in the Southwest,” said ASDOH Dean Jack Dillenberg, D.D.S., MPH. “In addition, the need for dentists is even greater among American Indian populations and ASDOH has made a commitment to educating American Indian dentists who will work in Native communities providing oral health care to patients and communities.”
There are currently only 90 tribally-identified American Indian dentists in the country, but statistically there should be at least 1,500 to adequately address the needs of the community, added Dillenberg. Of the 54 students in ASDOH’s initial class, four are American Indians.
“The opening of the Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health is a historic and important event in Arizona health care education,” said Provost Craig M. Phelps, D.O., Fellow of the American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine (FAOASM). “The state-of-the-art facility, technologically advanced learning environment and world-renowned faculty will prepare future doctors of dentistry with the skills and experience needed to provide high-quality oral health care and become leaders in their field.”
To mark the opening of the new school, a ceremony will take place at 9 a.m. on July 21 at the Mesa-based school. Invited speakers scheduled to attend and give remarks include: Dushanka V. Kleinman, D.D.S., M.Sc.D., deputy director, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research and chief dental officer, United States Public Health Service; Eugene Sekiguchi, D.D.S., president-elect, American Dental Association; and other noted leaders in oral and community health.
The Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health is located on the Mesa, Arizona Campus of A.T. Still University at 5850 E. Still Circle (Baseline and Recker Roads). The Campus is also home to the Arizona School of Health Sciences (ASHS). ASHS is a private graduate school offering doctoral degrees in Audiology and Physical Therapy along with Master of Science degrees in Medical Informatics, Occupational Therapy, Physician Assistant Studies, Sports Health Care and an Advanced Physician Assistant Studies via e-learning. The Campus is also home to a regional medical education office for the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine and coordinates medical training for third- and fourth-year osteopathic medical students. For more information about A.T. Still University and its Schools, visit www.astu.edu.