LAKEWOOD RANCH — Local, state and federal leaders joined administrators and trustees from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine for the LECOM School of Dental Medicine’s grand opening March 8.
The dental school became the third of its kind in the state of Florida when it opened July 16, to welcome an inaugural class of 100 students.

The $52 million School of Dental Medicine features a dental patient clinic, which opened in January. There, students have been providing low-cost denture services to the public.

A collaboration with the Bill Galvano One-Stop Center has provided more than $10,000 in denture and lab services for homeless clients.

Comprehensive care will be available to the public in March 2014.

Within four years, the school expects to have 400 students enrolled.

It will employ nearly 200 people, and the school expects to have a $14 million economic impact in Bradenton, in addition to as much as $35 million through direct and indirect spending statewide.

Speakers at the grand opening included U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, Manatee County District 5 Commissioner Vanessa Baugh and Florida Dental Association Trustee Dr. Rudy T. Liddell.

Contact Josh Siegel at jsiegel@yourobserver.com.

 

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