ADA News reports on passage of Nov. 2nd dental bond referendum and UNE's plans for dental college

The American Dental Association's ADA News ran a story on the passage of the Maine dental bond referendum on Nov. 2, 2010. The $5 million bond package is intended to help expand dental clinics in Maine and launch a Maine-based dental school, addressing a serious need in Maine. UNE, which is raising funds to establish a dental college, will be in a strong position to compete for funds to build a dental clinic as part of the college. 

The ADA story quoted UNE President Danielle N. Ripich: “On 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 Maine’s first dental school, UNE will continue its leadership role to educate students for the health sciences in the 21st century, while simultaneously addressing the state’s most pressing health care workforce needs.”

The story also quoted Kenka P. Smith, UNE associate dean for planning: “As 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.”

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.