UMMC School of Dentistry begins construction on new clinical building
Published on Thursday, March 6, 2025
By: Rachel Vanderford, rvanderford@umc.edu
Photos By: Joe Ellis/ UMMC Communications
In a transformative step for the future of dental education and patient care, state and University of Mississippi Medical Center leaders officially began the next chapter in the School of Dentistry’s legacy with a groundbreaking event for the construction of a new clinical building.
This highly anticipated project, generously supported by a $40 million legislative appropriation, will provide all predoctoral students with the opportunity to deliver comprehensive care in a modern clinical area, enhancing both patient experience and student learning environments.
"In the future, we will be able to train more dentists, more dental hygienists and more dental health professionals,” said Dr. Louann Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs. “We will be able to increase access for the patients in Mississippi and advance the research that happens here. Our role as the state’s only academic medical center is important in all aspects of health care, and that includes oral health.”
Since its inception, the UMMC School of Dentistry has been a cornerstone of dental education, research and patient care in the state. Established by the Mississippi State Legislature in 1973, it remains the state’s first and only dental school. Fifty years after the school opened its doors to the first class of aspiring dentists, this expansion marks a crucial investment in the next generation of dental professionals.
“It's exciting to come and watch some bricks and mortar, but it’s even more exciting to know that Mississippi has invested in its future and in the bright young men and women you see out here that will control what we do in the future,” said Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann.
With the state-of-the-art facility on the horizon, the School of Dentistry is positioned to evolve and adapt to meet the demands of the ever-changing field of dentistry. By enhancing patient care, improving student learning environments and laying the groundwork for future expansions, the new clinical building represents a transformation in the school’s future.
“Today is National Dentists Day, so it is fitting that we are here to witness the start of our new clinical building, an investment in the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry’s mission to foster an environment of lifelong learning, a collaborative teaching service and research institution,” said Dr. Pia Chatterjee Kirk, interim dean of the School of Dentistry.
“This embodies the future of dental education. This state-of-the-art facility will provide our students with advanced technology and an enhanced learning environment, ensuring they are well equipped to become the next generation of oral health care professionals who will work to eliminate health disparities and improve health outcomes."
The new clinical space will feature advanced technology and provide the foundation for future growth, ensuring the School of Dentistry remains at the forefront of education and patient care. The building’s design emphasizes both functionality and patient-centered care, with dedicated spaces for various practices and efficient patient flow.
“The new building gives us the opportunity to have space for all predoctoral students to provide comprehensive patient care in a larger clinical area,” said Dr. Scott Phillips, associate dean for clinical affairs. “Currently, students are assigned to three smaller clinics across two floors. Having a lot of our clinical staff and faculty working in the same location will allow for a better patient experience for patients and students.”
The first floor will house areas dedicated to University Dentists and Advanced General Dentistry, creating a central hub for faculty and graduate-level practices, complete with comfortable waiting areas for patients.
The second floor will feature the Comprehensive General Dentistry clinic, designed to enhance both patient care and hands-on student training. A spacious waiting area and well-planned operatories will ensure seamless care for patients and individualized attention from students. Though plans for the third floor are still in development, the building offers significant potential for future growth, with the School of Dentistry exploring ways to expand its services and create a centralized, comprehensive care model for patients.
“I’m overjoyed about the new dental school facility,” said Dutton Day, third-year dentistry student. “We will be able to train talented students who are passionate about making a difference in their communities. This not only enhances the students’ education but also helps build a healthier future for families across our state—especially those in the Jackson area—by providing better access to quality dental care.”