UNE graduates its first class of dentists

Courtesy / University of New England A group of University of New England College of Dental Medicine graduates celebrate at Saturday's commencement at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland.

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By Staff

The University of New England’s commencement on Saturday marked the first graduation ceremony for students in its College of Dental Medicine.

Sixty-two students received the doctor of dental medicine degree during a commencement ceremony in which more than 1,800 bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees were awarded in osteopathic medicine, dental medicine, pharmacy, health sciences, natural sciences, social sciences, human services, education, management and the liberal arts.

Founded in 2013, the College of Dental Medicine is the first dental college in Northern New England. The program is built on extensive practical experience, with students working on simulated patients in their first two years and then progressing to direct patient care over the course of their second and third years. Under the supervision of UNE's licensed faculty dentists, students treat patients in the Oral Health Center, which hosts an estimated 25,000 patient visits annually.

Last summer this year's graduating class began clinical rotations in communities throughout northern New England. Working in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont and beyond, they administered oral health care at 27 sites, 16 of which are in Maine. Students on rotation provided 10,196 comprehensive dental visits to both children and adults, totaling 18,596 procedures at external sites, many of which are Federally Qualified Health Centers in rural areas.

Of the dental students who have announced their post-graduation plans, 47% will be staying in New England. Twenty-four members of the first dental class hail from Maine, with at least 11 of those students staying in the state to practice or receive further professional training. Several more students have expressed a desire to return to Maine after completing residency and specialty programs.

“The 62 men and women who will become Doctors of Dental Medicine today put their faith in UNE at a time when our Oral Health Center truly was just a ‘cavity’ in the ground awaiting construction,” UNE President Danielle Ripich said in prepared remarks for her 11th and final commencement. “They came to us as pioneers and, through their hard work and diligence, have established a culture of excellence for this, our newest college. No matter your college or program, I know our graduates leave UNE with the potential to positively shape our world and the lives of the people living in it.”

Ripich, who has led UNE through a period of unprecedented growth, is stepping down as president on July 1. James Herbert, executive vice provost and dean of the graduate college at Drexel University in Philadelphia, was named in February as her successor.