Rootstown-based Northeast Ohio Medical University was granted approval by its board of trustees to create a dental college to improve oral healthcare in the state.
Out of Ohio's 88 counties, 77 are considered dental care health professional shortage areas, John Langell, MD, PhD, president of Northeast Ohio Medical University said in a Sept. 26 news release shared with Becker's.
The university began exploring the idea of creating a dental college in 2021, according to the release.
Northeast Ohio Medical University is anticipating $1 million in state funding to help develop the college. The funding was secured with the support of state Sen. Jerry Cirino and state Rep. Gail Pavliga.
The university estimates it will cost about $25 million to launch and sustain the dental college.