UF Health Periodontics and Prosthodontics Ribbon Cutting & Dental Fall Weekend

Dental Ribbon CuttingOn Nov. 8, a group of donors, alumni, faculty, staff and students of the University of Florida College of Dentistry gathered to officially open the recently renovated space that created a new clinical home for the periodontics and prosthodontics residency programs – UF Health Periodontics & Prosthodontics. The state-of-the-art facility brings together the two dental residency training programs which provides interdisciplinary collaboration that benefits the residents and the patients who often require treatment from both dental specialty areas. The move also finalizes a goal of the college in bringing all of the dental specialty clinical settings to the first floor of the dental tower which facilities ease of patient access.

The event was just one of many that comprised a busy 2013 Annual Dental Fall Weekend, Nov. 8 and 9, which brought alumni and friends of the college back to Gainesville for continuing education, D.M.D. class reunions, business meetings, a pre-game tailgate and, of course, a Gator football game.

The ribbon cutting was a centerpiece event for the weekend and included Bernie Machen, president of the University of Florida, and David Guzick, M.D., senior vice president for health affairs and president of UF Health. Teresa A. Dolan, D.D.S., M.P.H., former dean of the college, was also on hand to celebrate the event.

More than 30 people made gifts to help cover the cost of the renovations, including generous support from three periodontists, Geraldine Ferris, D.M.D., Gerald Kluft, D.D.S., and John Dozier, D.M.D., to renovate individual surgical suites.

“The vision, support and persistence of the college’s faculty, leadership, and alumni and friends helped make this dream a reality,” Kluft said.

Ferris said, “This ribbon cutting marks an important day that many of us have waited years to see. Periodontics and prosthodontics have always worked closely together and working in the same space makes it possible for them to easily consult with one another on a regular basis and give patients the best care.”

Boyd Robinson, D.D.S., M.Ed., interim dean of the college, thanked everyone for their support for the project over the years that resulted in, “a beautiful dental center that we are very proud of. It took so many people – our donors, faculty and staff – to make this center come together.”

Dental Ribbon Cutting

Robinson also thanked Dentsply International and Dentsply Implants for their ongoing support of education and training at the college.

Friday evening, a total of 140 members of the D.M.D. classes of 1978, 1983, 2003 and 2008 celebrated reunions at various locations around Gainesville while other Dental Fall Weekend attendees attended Gator Growl and other UF Homecoming events.

Saturday included a continuing education course, a pre-game tailgate hosted by Psi Omega, a student dental fraternity, and the UF Homecoming football game against Vanderbilt. Although the Gators weren’t able to put that game in the “win” category, the 2013 Dental Fall Weekend was certainly a win for the college and our alumni and friends.