When a gleaming new five-storey building opens on the Bannatyne campus in 2027, it will transform the way dentistry and dental hygiene students learn and care for patients.
The structure will be located at the corner of McDermot Avenue and Tecumseh Street, just west of the current dentistry building, which dates from 1959.
State-of-the-art dental clinics will occupy two floors of the new centre.
“Our clinical space will be completely upgraded, enabling us to better serve our communities and deliver world-class oral health education,” says Anastasia Kelekis-Cholakis [DMD/92, Dip.Perio/98], dean of the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry.
Designed for accessibility, the space will include an undergraduate clinic with more than 50 operatories (treatment chairs), making it the largest dental clinic in Manitoba. Technologies available to undergraduate students will include chairside X-ray equipment, intraoral scanners and dental microscopes.
Eight clinics on a separate floor will focus on dental specialties and graduate programs such as orthodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics and oral surgery. This space will include a digital lab and both nitrous oxide and intravenous sedation capabilities.
All the clinics will be equipped with high-end systems for infection control and air quality.
“We’re looking forward to teaching our dental students, dental hygiene learners and residents in a cutting-edge facility,” the dean says. “Now we need the support of the dental community to help us fully realize the dream and outfit the clinics.”
While the Province of Manitoba has committed $40 million toward the construction of the building – which will also house medical education facilities, a child-care centre and Ongomiizwin, the Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing – the dental college has launched a fundraising campaign with a goal of $10 million.
“The support from alumni and industry partners has been amazing so far,” Kelekis-Cholakis says. “We want to continue the strong tradition of our college and keep up its national reputation and ranking. Outstanding clinical facilities are a cornerstone of that.”
Alumni from the college have a reputation for giving back to UM and leaving a legacy for future students. The Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry currently has the highest proportion of grads who make gifts of any UM alumni group, says Brooke Karlaftis [BA/06], donor relations officer.
“This campaign has received some significant donations,” Karlaftis says. “I want to say a big thank you to the dental instrument and product company HuFriedyGroup, who were the first to step up.
“Kamloops dentist Rakesh Mehta [B.Sc./96, DMD/01] jumped on board early. Ontario oral surgeon Chi-Chia Tai [Dip.O.&M.Surg/99] made a generous gift and chose to name an oral surgery operatory. I also want to acknowledge Winnipeg dentist Phong Luong [B.Sc.(Dent.)/12, DMD/12], who is generously naming two operatories.”
While there are opportunities for donor naming of waiting rooms, specialty clinics and student spaces, any size of contribution is greatly appreciated, Kelekis-Cholakis says.
“Donor support will ensure that our students receive enhanced training in a superb, modern facility focused on patient-centred oral health care and the use of new and emerging technologies.
“Donors will also ensure that patients have improved access to our clinics and receive excellent care in a safe, professional and comfortable setting.”
To make your contribution, visit our online form or email Brooke.Karlaftis@umanitoba.ca.
BY MATTHEW KRUCHAK