The center will bring together researchers, educators and practitioners to develop solutions that improve prevention, accessibility and affordability of oral healthcare services worldwide. Initial goals include research into cost reduction, disease prevention and care systems, creating additional curricula in epidemiology and oral disease prevention, additional training for dentists, and establishing a master of science in oral public health degree at the university.
The center is funded by a $5 million gift the school received in February from alumnus Dr. Garry Rayant and his wife, Dr. Kathy Fields. Additional plans are in place for a fundraising initiative to create an endowment.