Page 21 - The Apex - Touro College of Dental Medicine 2024

will provide an opportunity to deliver
much-needed low-cost oral health
care to underserved communities
while expanding local access for
New Mexico students interested in
becoming dentists.”
New Mexico currently faces a
profound shortage of oral health
care professionals, with only 48.4
dentists per 100,000 people, well
below the national average of 60.84.
“We anticipate that there will be a
significant number of graduates who
remain in New Mexico to pursue
their dental careers, adding to our
incentive to build the new facility and
clinic in the land of enchantment,” Dr.
Myers added.
The 70,000 square foot facility will
accommodate more than 100 dental
units, including specialty care in oral
surgery, orthodontics, endodontics,
and pediatric dentistry. TCDM
expects that 100 students from each
TCDM class of 210 will complete the
classroom portion of their training
at Valhalla and spend their final
two years treating patients from the
Albuquerque community in the new
clinical facility.
Touro University is investing
approximately $40 million in
New Mexico, positively impacting
educational and economic
development in Albuquerque and
beyond. The establishment of the
dental college is expected to create
high-paying jobs for New Mexicans
while enhancing local educational
opportunities.
The new campus is being welcomed
with open arms by the community.
“The arrival of the Touro College
of Dental Medicine marks a major
milestone in our city’s fight to expand
health care options for families,” said
Albuquerque’s Mayor Tim Keller.
“Not only will it help fill a critical
shortage of dental professionals in
our community, but our young people
will have the opportunity to pursue
careers in dentistry right here at
home. This first-of-its-kind facility
will help build a healthier, more
equitable future by expanding access
to affordable dental care for those
who need it most.”
Class of 2028 New Mexico cohort
New Mexico currently faces a
profound shortage of oral health
care professionals, with only 48.4
dentists per 100,000 people, well
below the national average.
Class of 2027 New Mexico cohort
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