A three-year, $880,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Service Administration will build the dental residency program at the UNM Health Sciences Center.
“This is extremely important to the health of New Mexicans because there is a strong correlation between oral health and overall health, “said Stephen Beetstra, DDS, chief and assistant professor for the UNM Division of Dental Services. “Although there is not a dental school in New Mexico, creation of the residency program is an avenue to bring recent graduates to our state,”
The grant will increase capacity for more patients to be seen at dental clinics located at UNM and throughout Albuquerque. The clinics care for underserved populations including those with developmental disabilities and people who are medically compromised.
Beetstra said the grant will also allow UNM to expand its dental residency to rural areas of the state, where the dentist shortage is most critical. The UNM dental clinic is located in Novitski Hall on North Campus.
Contact: Angela Heisel, (505) 272-3651