The School of Dental Medicine (SDM) celebrated the completion of its renovated first-floor specialty clinic in Squire Hall with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Nov. 27. Approximately 60 guests — a mixture of students, faculty, staff and alumni — attended.
“Today, we are celebrating our latest achievement, a cutting-edge advance education-focused dental clinic,” said Marcelo Araujo, dean of the dental school. “This would have not been possible if it weren’t for the visionary plans developed by my predecessor, Dean Joseph Zambon, and supported by Interim Dean Stefan Ruhl.”
Araujo also thanked Matt Webber, facilities planning and management officer in the SDM; Paul Gareis, facilities program coordinator for Design and Construction, and the extended team that dedicated its talents and time to the project.
Designed by BKP Architects, the $3.4 million, 11,400-square-foot renovated clinic opened in August, following 14 months of construction. It contains 58 dental operatories that offer prosthodontics, periodontics, advanced education in general dentistry and endodontics postgraduate programs. Unique updates include CAD/CAM milling rooms, where state-of-the-art digital dentistry techniques enhance precision and efficiency in patient treatment.
This marks the first major renovation of the clinic since its opening in 1986.
“This clinic is not merely a physical space,” Araujo said. “It embodies our commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive and culturally competent environment.”
