When the ribbon was cut last April during the grand opening of the new Delta Dental of Tennessee Building at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, it ushered in a new day for the oral health of the people of Tennessee.
More than a location for Tennessee’s future dentists to study and train, the building allows the College of Dentistry to expand its classes and produce more dentists and dental hygienists for Tennessee. It also increases the college’s clinic space, where faculty care for patients and student and resident dentists develop skills.
Tuesday night, the Memphis Business Journal recognized the Delta Dental of Tennessee Building as the Best Large Renovation in its 2024 Building Memphis Awards. Each year, the publication recognizes the best in new developments and renovations in Memphis based on their design and impact on the community. Winners were chosen in six categories: small, medium, and large new construction projects and small, medium, and large renovations. A project of the year and a community impact honoree were also selected during the event at Memphis Botanic Garden.
The Delta Dental Building supports the $52 million Healthy Smiles Initiative, an ambitious collaborative effort by UT Health Science Center, Delta Dental of Tennessee, the state of Tennessee, and many other outstanding community partners to improve access to dental care across the state, particularly in rural areas with great need.
“The Delta Dental of Tennessee Building is architecturally a beautiful addition to our campus,” said James Ragain, DDS, dean of the College of Dentistry. “Beyond its stunning appearance, it is a key facility in our university’s vision of Healthy Tennesseans. Thriving Communities. It is the gateway for our efforts to increase the dental workforce in Tennessee and expand our educational programs across the state. We are now able to increase our dental class size up to 130 students and our dental hygiene class to 48 students. Additionally, our students now train in a state-of-the-art facility, as they learn and hone their clinical skills.”
The Delta Dental Building adjoins the Dunn Dental Building. Together, they make up the Delta Dental of Tennessee Oral Health Complex. The names of the building and the complex honor the outstanding support from Delta Dental of Tennessee and its former Chief Executive Officer Philip Wenk, DDS. Dr. Wenk is a 1973 graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; a 1977 graduate of the College of Dentistry; and the chair of UT Health Science Center’s Advisory Board.
“Tennessee is in great need of more dentists and Delta Dental is committed to helping meet that need,” Dr. Wenk, CEO and executive director of Delta Dental’s Smile180 Foundation, said after learning of the recognition by the Memphis Business Journal. “The Delta Dental Building ensures that can start happening. This building will have a tremendous impact on the Memphis community, as well as on our entire state.”
Read more at our UTHSC news site.