Dear fellow alumni and friends of the School of Dentistry,
On Wednesday, we celebrated the completion of our Phase One renovation with a wonderful ribbon-cutting ceremony. This phase includes a new orthodontic clinic, pediatric dentistry clinic, dental innovation center, and Dental Group Practice clinic.
This was not a simple refresh; rather, it was a complete redesign and reimagination of the clinics. This is the first significant modernization of our school’s physical spaces since we opened our doors in 1957.
We were honored with the presence of U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, University President Mike Benson, and Chancellor and Executive Dean Dr. Clay Marsh. We were also joined by leaders from across the University, Health Sciences, West Virginia Dental Association, and WVU School of Dentistry Alumni Association, as well as faculty, staff, and students from our school. As a direct result of Senator Capito’s support, we received Congressionally Directed Spending awards of $12.6 million for this phase one project and an additional $15 million for phase two renovations — this is generationally transformational for West Virginia.
It is important to highlight several key partnerships across the state that help to make our school a success. The West Virginia Dental Association, the WVU School of Dentistry Alumni Association, and our Leadership Council are integral to our educational initiatives as well as in helping to meet the access to care demands across the state.
As many of you know, our orthodontic clinic is named in honor of our current chair, Dr. Peter Ngan. This significant naming opportunity was championed and led by a handful of visionaries, including Drs. Jim Caveney, Larry Kalaskey, Pranav Patel, Loring Ross, and Ronnie Sparks who led this initiative across the national orthodontic community.
2027 marks 70 years since this medical center first opened its doors to provide a foundational education to the future generations of healthcare professionals across the state of West Virginia. Since then, our five Health Sciences schools have grown and evolved into one of the premier academic healthcare centers in the nation. Our School of Dentistry is proud to be a part of our University and the Health Sciences team.
Over the years, our dual professions of education and healthcare have greatly evolved — and never at a more accelerated pace than over the last five years. Dentistry and dental education are rapidly changing. Historically an analog profession, dentistry is now transitioning to a mostly digitally integrated profession. Staying current with both professions is integral to the success of each profession.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant university, and the only dental school in West Virginia, our WVU School of Dentistry is committed to providing excellence in education and patient care. These projects not only modernize our facilities, but they also allow us to enhance student education and patient care by reconsolidating our specialties and clinical practices at the academic healthcare center, as well as remain current with the art and science of dentistry.
Our vision remains steadfast — “To be recognized as the dental school of choice for students, faculty, staff, and patients.” We are fully committed to meeting the oral healthcare needs and improving access to care for West Virginia families.
Thank you for all you do for our School and especially for our students and those entrusted to our care.
Lead well at every engagement. Glad to be here. Let’s Go!
Stephen Pachuta
Dean