News

The Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SIU SDM) showcased its renovated clinic in University Park on the Edwardsville campus today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The clinic is equipped to provide a full scope of dental services, including preventive dentistry, cleanings, fillings, crowns and bridges, dentures, surgery, root canals and implant procedures. The clinic also is equipped to perform simple and complex pediatric dental care. It provides additional training laboratory space in support of the Clinical Certification Course of the SDM’s International Advanced Placement Program.

 “With the Edwardsville clinic, we will be able to expand the scope of our available care, provide that care to a greater demographic and provide an even higher level of training to our students,” said Dr. Bruce Rotter, dean of the SIU SDM.

The clinic, located at 195 University Park Dr., will open to the public Wednesday, March 1. For those individuals interested in making an appointment, contact the Main Patient Clinic at 618-474‑7000 during regular clinic hours (Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.).

“Opening a new facility such as this is like writing new lines in history for an institution,” said SIU President Randy Dunn, who also took a moment to note the passing of founding SIU SDM Dean Dr. Frank Sobkowski late last week. “With four professional schools in the SIU system, we engage in a level of professional education that is rare among schools and colleges around the country.”

Rotter pointed to many benefits to reopening the clinic at SIUE:

• Ability to provide services to the Edwardsville campus – students, staff and faculty will have the option of choosing the SDM for their treatment needs without the commute to Alton
• Expanding children’s access to dental care programs
• Expanding specialty training programs with greater access to specialty care
• Providing a referral service for complex cases that require faculty expertise, while providing training for students and residents

“This new clinic is another example of expanding our mission in community engagement,” said Dr. Randy Pembrook, SIUE chancellor.

The Edwardsville clinic was originally built in 1997 to add additional program capability for the SDM. After 10 years, it was necessary for the school to give up occupancy of the building for several reasons including rental costs, increased space availability in Alton and a need for consolidation. Following several years of leased occupancy by various businesses, the University reacquired the building.

The $3 million project was funded from private donations, SDM Clinic Operation, SDM equipment use fees, Parking Services revenues for repairing and surfacing the parking lot, and University Plant funds.

Photo (L-R): Jennifer McClure, SIUE Marketing & Communications; Dr. Ken Rawson, SIU SDM associate dean; Dr. Randy Dunn, SIU system president; Dr. Randy Pembrook, SIUE chancellor; Dr. Bruce Rotter, SIU SDM dean; Illinois State Senator Bill Haine; Rich Walker, SIUE interim vice chancellor for administration; and Kevin Brooks, representing U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth.