School of Dental Medicine
LECOM School of Dental of Medicine LECOM School of Ushers in a New Era of Medical Care Dental Medicine for Florida Establishes era in medical education began clinic; and the entire fourth year devoted to ASDA Chapter Anew this year as the inaugural class of community-based primary care clinics in the LECOM School of Dental Medicine Florida and in Erie, Pa. reported to the Bradenton, Fla., campus for At 100,000-square feet, the LECOM School orientation. of Dental Medicine building features LECOM President and CEO John M. Ferretti, classroom space and a 115-chair dental DO and Provost, Senior Vice President and clinic. Students and faculty will work with Dean of Academic Affairs Silvia M. Ferretti, the Bradenton community to provide care DO, were at the campus to welcome the 100 to residents who face challenges in obtaining students to the Class of 2016. needed dental care by serving them at the on-campus patient clinic and in the future “LECOM’s heritage and our unparalleled at community-based, primary care dental ability to recruit, to instruct, and to clinics. train first-rate osteopathic physicians, pharmacists – and now dentists – will A basic care clinic opens in January 2013 for further develop competent, compassionate, patients who need dentures. Comprehensive and holistic approaches to dental care will be available clinical, didactic, and other to the community in March professional responsibilities of 2014. With the College’s designed to improve and commitment to quality advance the health care and education at an affordable scientific environments of cost, LECOM is determined the 21st Century,” says Dr. to prepare dentists who can John Ferretti. deliver the best health care. Adam Rose is excited to be a The Commission on Dental part of the first class. Accreditation (CODA) granted accreditation status to the “It’s a brand-new school and school last year and since to be part of the first class that time, response to the is exciting,” Rose said. “We announced opening has been have new classrooms, a new enthusiastically received, both building. It’s awesome. It by prospective faculty and doesn’t get any better than students alike. being number one.” Adam Rose, D1 Students began training Observing the evident decline with a basic dental technician in the number of dentists in course, which prepares them to work the State of Florida, LECOM responded to the alongside dentists during early clinical needs of the Bradenton community with the experiences at private and communityestablishment of this school. It is the hope and based dental practices. After that two-week expectation of the founders that the current exposure to dentistry, classes opened on and future needs of dental health will be served Monday, July 23 in the new $52 million by the professionals schooled and trained at the School of Dental Medicine building at 4800 LECOM School of Dental Medicine. Lakewood Ranch Blvd. Ever cognizant of its commitment to excellence Pre-clinical instruction will be delivered in education and purpose in community through the small-group problem-based service, the LECOM School of Dental Medicine learning (PBL) curriculum, which will unreservedly welcomes its 100 first-year integrate both medical and dental students. students and its team of accomplished educators. Components of the dental curriculum also include faculty directed self-study of gross anatomy; direct comprehensive patient care in the first year; a patient-based simulation12 lecom connection | DECEMBER 2012 | lecom.edu
After starting classes in July, the LECOM dental medicine students began networking with fellow students around the country by establishing an American Student Dental Association (ASDA) chapter at the Bradenton campus. ASDA works to advance and protect the rights of dental students. The organization promotes values of community, engagement, integrity and passion in the classrooms, clinics, and community where dental students learn, work and live. ASDA President Colleen Greene and Director of Membership Danielle Bauer visited the school in September to meet with students and the administration. LECOM ASDA members elected Jenna Weldon as president and Kayla Macri as vice president. Pictured above, from left-right; Front row: Neha Chakravarti (D1); Kayla Macri (D1); Jasmine Shafagh (D1); ASDA Membership coordinator Danielle Bauer; ASDA National President Colleen Greene (Harvard ’13); Joslyn Rubin (D1) and Stephanie Cole (D1); Back row: Sal La Mastra (D1).