PORTLAND, Maine--The University of New England has announced alead gift of $2.3 million from Northeast Delta Dental in support of the school's College of Dental Medicine.
Northeast Delta Dental is the largest provider of dental benefits in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Its gift is the largest to date that UNE has received in support of the establishment of a college of dental medicine.
UNE plans to establish a college of dental medicine that will address the issue of access to care and the need for more oral health professionals in the region. UNE’s College of Dental Medicine plans to emphasize community dentistry, dental public health and prevention, excellence in clinical dentistry, an integrated health-care approach to dental education, and population-based health research.
Tom Raffio, president and CEO of Northeast Delta Dental, said: “Good oral health and access to oral health care are two significant public health concerns. We believe the establishment of a dental college in Maine will increase access to oral health education and services throughout Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, the states in which we invest corporate funds, and in which the Northeast Delta Dental Foundation awards grants. Northeast Delta Dental is proud to provide this leadership gift in support of the UNE College of Dental Medicine.”
Delta Dental Plan of Maine has donated $2 million, the Northeast Delta Dental Foundation provided a $100,000 grant, and Delta Dental Plan of Vermont and Delta Dental Plan of New Hampshire have recently awarded an additional $100,000 each in support of the college. This brings the total gift to $2.3 million.
“This substantial and incredibly generous gift from Northeast Delta Dental provides a huge boost to our effort to make the UNE College of Dental Medicine a reality,” said Harley Knowles, UNE vice president for institutional advancement.
For more information, go to .www.une.edu/
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