ADA News

Memphis—Delta Dental of Tennessee has donated $500,000 to help the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry establish a new, state-of-the-art imaging center.

Donation: Dr. Phil Wenk (right) presents a $500,000 check to Dean Hottel (left) to support imaging center. Also pictured left to right are Travis Sisco (D2), Dr. Darton Taylor (faculty) and Greg Eckel (D4).

The organization previously funded a cone beam computerized tomography scanner.

This latest gift, part of the school’s capital campaign to modernize the Dunn Dental Building, will help the college purchase oral radiology equipment and renovate the existing space for the imaging center. Plans include expanding the pre-doctoral clinic and specialty areas, as well as laboratory space, oral diagnosis and oral radiology.

"Our goal is to provide our students with the best possible facility in which to train," said Dr. Tim Hottel, dean of the college. "Our facilities directly impact our ability to recruit students, faculty and even our patients. We are so grateful to Delta Dental of Tennessee for all they do to help us achieve our goal."

Including this latest donation, Delta Dental of Tennessee has contributed more than $3 million to the college since their first scholarship award in 1998.

Dr. Phil Wenk, president and CEO, is a UT dental graduate and said he knows first-hand how important facilities are to a quality dental education.

"In order for dentists to be well prepared to practice, they must have access to an excellent clinical environment," Dr. Wenk said. "Delta Dental of Tennessee understands that UT dental students are likely to be participating dentists with us after graduation. Imaging is becoming a more and more important component in the dental profession, and the UT College of Dentistry Imaging Center will help prepare dental students for that piece of their own practice."