Welcome to the latest issue of the School of Dental Medicine’s quarterly newsletter. There is so much going on here at the school, and it is very gratifying to share it with friends and supporters. In my opening column, I wanted to provide a few updates.
I am excited to share that the SDM received Initial Accreditation from the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) on August 8th, 2024. It was a team effort involving the SDM faculty and staff, the PNWU administration, and our FQHC partners. Receipt of our Initial Accreditation allowed us to begin recruiting our inaugural class. We will receive the second site visit from CODA in the Spring of 2027.
In September 2023, PNWU began the second phase of construction, Delta Dental Equity Hall, which includes the SDM’s WSDA Dental Education Center – a 48-station simulation lab, a virtual reality lab, and support areas. I am pleased to report that the construction is complete, and we hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 28th (see our separate story for more details).
In July, the construction team began constructing the final building in PNWU’s expansion plan, the Dental and Occupational Therapy building (DOT). This building will provide space for the dental school’s administration, faculty offices, and teaching space. It is expected to be completed in early summer 2025. We will post updates to our website at www.pnwu.edu/school-of-dental-medicine.
We started our admissions process for the inaugural class (Class of 2029) in mid-August. The SDM Admissions Committee, the PNWU Admissions Office, and the SDM staff have created a superb, one-day interview event that occurs each Friday between now and December. Applicants receive a wealth of information about our program, tour the campus, and are interviewed by members of the Admissions Committee. We have completed six interview days already. I am excited to share that we currently have over 800 applicants for our 36 positions, with over 90 from Washington and 26 from the greater Pacific Northwest.
Please have a wonderful Autumn!
Celebrating Delta Dental Equity Hall: A Milestone in Dental Education
On September 28th, the Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences—School of Dental Medicine celebrated the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Delta Dental Equity Hall. The event was a resounding success, with over 150 school friends and supporters in attendance.
The ceremony featured a distinguished lineup of speakers, each offering their unique perspective on the significance of this new addition to the School of Dental Medicine:
- Dr. Fotinos Panagakos, Dean of the School of Dental Medicine, hosted the event and presented on behalf of the school.
- Mr. John Vornbrock, Chair of the Board of Trustees, delivered the welcome address.
- Mr. Mark Mitchke, President and CEO of Delta Dental of Washington, spoke about Delta Dental’s partnership with the school.
- Dr. Linda Edgar, President of the American Dental Association, offered insights from a national perspective.
- Dr. Chris Dorow, President-Elect of the Washington State Dental Association, represented the state’s dental community.
- Senator Curtis King from the 14th District provided remarks on behalf of Washington State.
The event’s highlight was the official ribbon-cutting ceremony, symbolizing the opening of the Delta Dental Equity Hall. Following the ceremony, attendees were invited to participate in a social hour and tours of the new building, allowing them to explore the state-of-the-art facilities firsthand. Mr. Adam Story, Chief Development Officer, delivered the closing remarks, concluding the formal part of the ceremony.
The School of Dental Medicine would like to extend its heartfelt gratitude to the SDM faculty and staff for their tireless efforts in preparing for this momentous occasion. Special recognition goes to the PNWU Development Office team, whose hard work and dedication made the event such a resounding success.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Delta Dental Equity Hall marks a significant milestone for the Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences – School of Dental Medicine, paving the way for enhanced dental education and community service in the region.
