Current Publishing endorses Question 2 dental bond on Nov. 2nd ballot

Current Publishing, in an editorial Oct. 27, 2010, endorsed a yes vote on the Question 2 dental health bond. The editorial explains the funds approved in the referendum "would leverage additional money toward projects that are sound investments with the promise of future financial gain for the state. That is why we urge a yes vote on both questions." 

Question 2 on the Nov. 2 ballot, a $5 million bond package that is intended to help expand dental clinics in Maine and launch a Maine-based dental school, addresses a serious need in our state. An estimated 250,000 people in Maine live in communities lacking ready access to dental care. That will only get worse, since many dentists in Maine are nearing retirement age. 

The editorial explains that "The majority of the bond money in Question 2, $3.5 million, would be provided on a competitive basis to an institution to create a dental school in Maine. The institution - University of New England is the consensus leader - would have to match the funds, and would likely end up investing much more. The remaining $1.5 million would be used to establish or expand community-based dental clinics across the state. The school, along with loan forgiveness and tax incentive programs already in place, would draw dental students to Maine and keep them here after graduation." Current Publishing publishes the Current, American Journal, Lakes Region Weekly, Sun Chronicle, Observer and Reporter.

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.