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Delta Dental of Iowa makes $1.5 million gift for UI College of DentistryFoundation gift to help renovate dental building; support geriatric, special needs patients
Posted May 1, 2008
IOWA CITY -- Delta Dental of Iowa has made a $1.5 million gift commitment to help fund a planned major renovation of the Dental Sciences Building that houses the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. The gift was made by the newly formed Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation through the University of Iowa Foundation. “Delta Dental of Iowa and the College of Dentistry see this gift as a long-term investment in the oral health of Iowans and in a top-tier dental school,” said David Johnsen, dean of the UI College of Dentistry. “This generous commitment reflects a long partnership between Delta Dental of Iowa and the College. We are particularly pleased that Delta Dental’s gift will be recognized by its association with underserved and special needs patient populations, reflecting a core part of the missions of both Delta Dental of Iowa and the College of Dentistry.”
In February, the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, approved the College’s request to select an architectural firm so it could proceed with planning for a renovation of the 35-year-old Dental Science Building. The multi-year renovation project costs are currently estimated at $45 million, with at least $10 million of that to come from gifts from alumni and friends. These renovations will transform the building by updating and expanding clinical areas, increasing classroom and student space and upgrading dental research facilities. The College's general and specialty dental care clinics receive about 125,000 patient visits each year. “Delta Dental is proud to make this gift to the College of Dentistry to improve the oral health of Iowans and support initiatives for geriatric and special needs patients,” said Donn Hutchins, president and CEO of Delta Dental of Iowa and president of the Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation. “This gift is also an investment in the future which is critically important given Iowa’s aging population and the growing need for dental services in rural Iowa. More than 80 percent of the dentists in Iowa are graduates of the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. We take great pride in helping to secure the future of quality dental education in Iowa that has been available for the past 125 years.” Delta Dental of Iowa is the largest and most experienced provider of dental benefits in the state. As a not-for-profit, Delta Dental of Iowa invests in oral health projects through the Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation that focus on access to care, prevention, education and research. The mission of the Foundation is to support and improve the oral health of Iowans. Delta Dental of Iowa is a member of the Delta Dental Plans Association, a national organization of not-for-profit Delta Dental member companies. The national association is the largest dental benefits carrier in the nation, providing coverage to more than50 million people in nearly 88,000 employer groups. The UI acknowledges the UI Foundation as the preferred channel for private contributions that benefit all areas of the university. For more information about the UI Foundation, visit its web site at www.uiowafoundation.org. Contact Information Forrest Meyer Jill Hamilton Additional information about supporting the University of Iowa College Dentistry is available on this site. |
