University of Pikeville’s Tanner College of Dental Medicine receives $2.35 million from Delta Dental of Kentucky Foundation

The University of Pikeville has received a $2.35 million gift from the Delta Dental of Kentucky Foundation for the forthcoming Tanner College of Dental Medicine, which is planned to open in 2026. The gift from Delta Dental will establish a scholarship for students who will be studying dentistry and will establish a pediatric dental clinic, which will become part of the Tanner College of Dental Medicine and will serve as a way for students to gain hands-on experience while serving the great dental needs of Eastern Kentucky.

According to an article on the University of Pikeville’s website, Brian Hart, who is the vice president and chief revenue officer of Delta Dental of Kentucky, was quoted as saying of the organization’s donation, “This gift represents who we are and what we stand for. Pediatric dental care is one of the greatest unmet needs in Eastern Kentucky. By supporting this clinic we’re helping remove barriers to care and creating opportunities for future dentists to stay and serve in places that have gone without consistent care for too long.”

The pediatric dental clinic will become a beacon for families who can’t afford to take care of their children’s teeth due to lack of insurance or not having the money to do so. The clinic will treat kids in need of dental service regardless of the family’s ability to pay for the treatment. It will also provide dental students with a means of getting additional hands-on practice in dentistry while still in school.

Dr. Jill Keaton, the dean of the Tanner College of Dental Medicine, said, “This clinic gives students the opportunity to learn by doing, working directly with patients while gaining the skills they’ll need to serve in rural and underserved areas. At the same time, we’re reaching children early and giving them access to dental care they might not otherwise receive.”

The scholarship that will be established through the gift will help create a pool of dentistry talent in the state and will help the economy.

Burton Webb, Ph.D., the university’s president, said, “These scholarships will help us grow the dental workforce right here at home. When students have the chance to study and train in their own communities, they’re far more likely to stay, open up practices, and serve our region. That’s the kind of impact that transforms a place.”

The Tanner College of Dental Medicine broke ground in October 2024 and is expected to be completed sometime in 2026. When it opens, it will become only the third school of dentistry in the state. 

For more information about the University of Pikeville, visit the school’s website.