Meharry Medical College’s School of Dentistry announces plans for the Delta Dental Oral Diagnostic and Imaging Clinic

State-of-the-art clinic to provide better service to patients and increase learning opportunities for students

Nashville, TN – Meharry Medical College announced the generous contribution of Delta Dental of Tennessee in the amount of $780,233, allowing Meharry to develop a new, state-of-the-art oral diagnostic and imaging clinic. The new clinic will help the School of Dentistry expand the educational culture of leadership, innovation and discovery.

“The faculty and students in the School of Dentistry are excited about the new opportunities to provide patients with the highest level of diagnostic services. With academic excellence as our goal, we are proud Delta Dental of Tennessee are supporters of our mission,” says Dr. William B. Butler, Dean of the School of Dentistry.

The technologically advanced clinic will allow Meharry dental faculty and students to adopt the more rapidly growing usage of digital radiography, discontinuing their current use of the film-based radiography system. This facility will also assist students with the following: provide the best diagnostic procedures for patients, instantaneously access digital images taken with any type of digital imaging system and implement an electronic patient record system, where digital radiography is a major component.  Construction of the clinic will begin December 15, 2007 and scheduled for completion by March 14, 2008.

“At Delta Dental, our mission is to advance and promote the improvement of oral health throughout the state of Tennessee,” said Phil Wenk, D.D.S., president and CEO of Delta Dental. "Because our charge is in concert with Meharry's mission, we are pleased to support the School of Dentistry with the establishment of this new clinic and look forward to the tremendous impact it will have not only in our community but throughout the U.S.”

About Delta Dental of Tennessee

Delta Dental of Tennessee, with its affiliates in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana, is one of the largest dental plan administrators in the nation. In 2006, the enterprise paid out more than $1.7 billion for dental care for more than 6.2 million enrollees. Offices are located in Okemos, Farmington Hills, and Grand Rapids, Michigan; Columbus and Cleveland, Ohio; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Nashville, Knoxville, and Memphis, Tennessee.

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Meharry Medical College is the nation’s largest private, independent historically black institution dedicated solely to educating minority and other health professionals. The College is particularly well known for its uniquely nurturing, highly effective educational programs; emerging preeminence in health disparities research; culturally sensitive, evidence-based health services; and significant contribution to the diversity of the nation’s health professions workforce. Diverse Issues in Higher Education’s ranking of institutions annually lists Meharry as a leading national educator of African Americans with M.D. and D.D.S. degrees, and Ph.D. degrees in the biomedical sciences.