Tufts University - Index

Tufts University - Tufts School of Dental Medicine VEI Brochure - Index

SERVING THE COMMUNITY, ELEVATING THE PROFESSION
Clinical excellence and profound compassion are two of
the cornerstones that define the TUSDM educational experience.
In that regard, the Vertical Expansion Initiative is much more
than an enhancement to our facilities—it is a bold, ambitious
expression of our commitment to honor TUSDM’s mission on
many levels:
■ SUPPORT FOR LEADING-EDGE CLINICAL PRACTICE
Some of the key benefits of the expansion will be the doubling
of the spaces devoted to four of the TUSDM postdoctoral
specialties: periodontics, prosthodontics, endodontics, and
orthodontics. The preclinical simulation lab will be relocated
and expanded, as will our continuing education facilities.
These changes will liberate existing floors to provide
expanded pre-doctoral clinical and classroom facilities.
These enhancements will play a critical role in ensuring that
the school can provide the caliber of facilities that pre- and
postdoctoral students and their instructors expect and
deserve from one of the world’s leading dental schools.
■ DELIVERING CARE TO DIVERSE POPULATIONS
TUSDM has always kept its doors open to all patients, particularly
those who otherwise would not be able to afford dental
care. All of our dental students gain experience in delivering
high-quality, compassionate care to a diverse patient base
representing a breadth of socioeconomic backgrounds.
We have always believed that every patient we see deserves
the same quality of experience that he or she would receive
at a private practice. The Vertical Expansion Initiative furthers
our efforts to deliver these services in an environment more
conducive to the needs of students, clinicians, and patients.
What’s more, increasing the number of treatment chairs we
can provide, and the amount of space available to providers
and their patients, will greatly enhance both the educational experience
at TUSDM and the level of patient service we provide.
■ ENHANCING COMMUNITY OUTREACH
TUSDM’s commitment to the community serves as a model
for dental schools around the world. Many of our programs are
targeted to individuals who are at a high risk of suffering the
consequences of poor dental health, including persons with
HIV/AIDS, victims of domestic violence, schoolchildren, seniors,
and the handicapped. Many of these programs begin with
community outreach activities that occur in Boston-area neighborhoods:
the Vertical Expansion Initiative will help ensure that
patients who encounter our clinicians through these “intake”
efforts can be served at our Kneeland Street facility.