A study conducted by the Louisiana Board of Regents found that building a new dental college in the northern part of the state is not necessary, according to Daily World.
State Sens. Barrow Peacock and Greg Tarver requested the study. The board is expected to agree with the study findings during a meeting Jan. 9.
"Based on careful research, analysis and interviews with individuals throughout the state, the Board of Regents finds a clear need for increased access to dental care but does not find sufficient evidence to indicate that the establishment of a new school of dentistry in North Louisiana is the best immediate solution," the study concluded.
Proponents of the new school argued that there is a lack of dentists in northern Louisiana. The study agreed, finding that there are few dentists in rural areas.
However, instead of building a new dental college, the study argued to expand the use of the school of dentistry within the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans.