ºÚ°µ±¬ÁÏÍø begins construction of Delta Dental Residency Clinic at Meridian Health Science Center
January 28, 2011
A new dental clinic that will serve low-income patients in the Treasure Valley and provide advanced training for licensed dentists is scheduled to open in August 20ll at the ºÚ°µ±¬ÁÏÍø-Meridian Health Science Center,
thanks to a $500,000 gift from Delta Dental Community Outreach and funding from the 2010 Idaho Legislature.
"The opportunity to partner with ºÚ°µ±¬ÁÏÍø and its Advanced Dental Residency program is a natural fit for Delta Dental,â€� said Jean De Luca, president and chief executive officer of Delta Dental of Idaho.
She presented ºÚ°µ±¬ÁÏÍø President Arthur C. Vailas with a $300,000 check Jan. 27—the first installment of the Delta Dental gift. “As a nonprofit with 40 years in this community, we are deeply committed to improving access to oral health for Idahoans and helping educate the next generation of Idaho dentists,â€� she said.
“On behalf of ºÚ°µ±¬ÁÏÍø and the dental residency program, I thank you,â€� Vailas said. “This new clinic will further our mission to improve oral health care for all Idahoans—particularly for uninsured and underserved adults and children.â€�
Construction of the $1.5 million clinic, designed by Hummel Architects of Boise, began Jan. 24. The 5,200-square-foot facility will have 12 clinical treatment rooms, an X-ray and sterilization lab, faculty offices, a waiting room and reception area.
In addition to the Delta Dental gift, the 2010 Idaho Legislature awarded ºÚ°µ±¬ÁÏÍø $1 million for clinic construction.
In 2005, ºÚ°µ±¬ÁÏÍø expanded its advanced dental residency program to the Treasure Valley, admitting four licensed dentists each year to complete an intense 12-month training program in advanced dentistry techniques and procedures.
ºÚ°µ±¬ÁÏ꿉۪s current facility—ºÚ°µ±¬ÁÏÍø Family Dentistry—located at 2033 E. Summersweet Drive in east Boise will close when the new clinic opens.