The University of Pikeville and High Point University have made several moves this year to prepare for the opening of their dental schools.
The University of Pikeville is expected to accept its first class in 2025, while High Point University will welcome its first cohort of students in fall 2024.
Here is how the two dental schools have advanced so far this year:
The University of Pikeville (Ky.) College of Dental Medicine
The University of Pikeville recently announced that its new dental school will be named after the family of donors that helped establish the dental school. Carol Goff Tanner and her family donated $25 million to the university last year to establish the dental school and expand dental care access in the Appalachian region.
Earlier this year, the university purchased a 40,000-square-foot building from Appalachian Newspapers to house the dental school.
High Point (N.C.) University Workman School of Dental Medicine
High Point (N.C.) University received accreditation for its new dental school in August and broke ground on the school's facility in September. The building will include SIMtoCARE dental units as part of the school's goal to create the world's largest simulation lab.
The university launched two partnerships this year. This first is with Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist High Point Medical Center to expand oral care for patients receiving radiation or chemotherapy cancer treatment. The school also partnered with Pacific Dental Services to implement the Epic electronic health record system at the university.
In January, the university appointed 12 members to serve on its inaugural board of advisors alongside Rick Workman, DMD.