A New York dentist recently revised his proposal for a new dental school he plans to build in partnership with Daemen University in Amherst, N.Y., The Buffalo News reported Oct. 14.
Todd Shatkin, DDS, partnered with the university in April to launch a dental school and physical rehabilitation center. It would be the second dental school in the Buffalo Niagara region, and it is hoped that it will alleviate a shortage of dental professionals.
Dr. Shatkin plans to cover the construction of two facilities located next to his clinic and lease the property to Daemen University. Original plans included Dr. Shatkin investing $6 million to $7 million, while Daemen University covered operating costs and provided $500,000 toward anatomy labs. Dr. Shatkin requested $394,000 in sales tax breaks from the Amherst Industrial Development Agency.
He withdrew his plan for the project after facing criticism from town planners. The revised plan includes updates to the building's design, addresses technical issues related to parking and zoning and includes more shuttling of students between the school and Daemen's main campus, according to the news outlet.
Daemen University is still awaiting state certification and national accreditation for the new school, The Buffalo News reported.