Thomasville, NC -- People who don't have access to dental care will have a new low-cost option thanks to a partnership between the ECU School of Dental Medicine and Davidson County Community College.
The two schools announced the partnership Friday. Construction dates for the $3 million, 8,000-square-foot facility haven't been set yet. The planned "community service learning center," which will be housed on the DCCC campus, is one of as many as 10 similar facilities ECU plans to build across the state, a news release said.
The partnership will allow fourth-year dental students and dental residents to work with patients and "learn the ins-and-outs of operating a community practice," the release said. The center will have 16 dental chairs and offer dental care options for people who might not otherwise get or afford it.
According to the joint release from the two schools, Davidson County has fewer than 2.6 dentists for every 10,000 people. The national average is six dentists for every 10,000 people.
The center will employ local staff members, organizers said. That includes 1.5 full-time dental faculty positions, a business manager, five or six dental assistants, two or three dental hygienists and two general dentistry residents.
WFMY News 2