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BIDDEFORD, Maine

UNE steps up fundraising efforts to make College of Dental Medicine a reality: Passage of Question #2 Sets the Stage

On November 2, Maine residents voted yes in support of Question #2, which allows the issuance of a $5 million bond to increase access to dental care in Maine. This is in response to the well-documented critical shortage of dentists in Maine and northern New England, and the lack of a dental school in the region. 
 
The University of New England (UNE) plans to establish a College of Dental Medicine that will address both access to care as well as the need for more dentists in the state. In November 2008, UNE'S board of trustees approved the academic program for the Doctor of Dental Medicine degree, and charged the university with securing the necessary funds to launch the college. 

UNE President Danielle N. Ripich states, "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 $5 million bond allocates $3.5 million to establish a dental school's community-based teaching clinic and $1.5 million to expand or create dental clinics around the state. The competitive award process for these funds will soon be under way, and UNE is in position to apply for the $3.5 million to establish a dental school. 

Even if awarded, UNE must raise additional funds to make the UNE College of Dental Medicine a reality, and it has an active campaign under way. Earlier this year, UNE received a lead gift of $2.3 million from Northeast Delta Dental in support of the UNE College of Dental Medicine. With the addition of other generous gifts and pledges, UNE has secured $6.5 million toward launching the college, but to open its doors in fall 2013, up to $20 million is needed.

"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," says, Kneka P. Smith, UNE associate dean for planning.

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.