Daemen University is developing a Doctoral of Dental Surgery (DDS) program designed to meet a critical healthcare need in Western New York. Currently our region of New York, within the United States, is designated as a Dental Care Health Professions Shortage Area (HPSA) by the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), which is a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services agency and is the primary federal agency responsible for improving access to health care services for those who are uninsured, isolated, or medically vulnerable. HRSA reports that New York State needs over 650 more practitioners to meet its dental needs. Only five educational institutions in New York offer the DDS degree.
Daemen University is currently seeking approval of the new DDS program from the New York State Education Department and initial accreditation from the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Daemen has a CODA site visit scheduled in September 2023. If approved, Daemen, following successful accreditation, would enroll its first cohort of predoctoral dental students in June 2024.
Shatkin Dental Health has supported this exciting and needed program as a financial partner providing monies for optimal space and the most contemporary dental educational equipment available. With this support, the program will carry the name: “The Daemen University Shatkin College of Dentistry;” and if accredited, will be the only private university in New York State west of Westchester County, to offer the DDS degree.
Daemen University is honored and proud to have hired Dr. Gerard Kugel, DMD, MS, PhD, an esteemed dental educator, clinician, researcher, and inventor; and, former professor and assistant dean at Tufts University, to serve as the founding dean of the developing dental college and DDS program at Daemen. As dean, Dr. Kugel will provide leadership for dental education, including hiring and directing the faculty, dental curriculum, clinical activities, community outreach, and all related logistics and program operations.
You can learn more about the new Shatkin College of Dentistry on the Daemen University website:
https://www.daemen.edu/news/daemen-university-announces-plans-new-college-dentistry
Congratulations!! This is amazing news. Liberty Dental Plan is a Dental Benefit Administrator for Medicaid Managed Care, Medicare Advantage & Oscar/Commercial Plans in WNY and across New York state. Liberty Dental Plan is interested in participating in this school through Sponsorships and launch of the school. Please contact our local representative Patrick Boland to discuss what opportunities there are for Liberty Dental Plan to be involved with the Dental school.
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