The UNMC College of Dentistry’s West Division in Gering, Neb., received a $12,000 grant from Scottsbluff’s Oregon Trail Foundation to purchase a dental 3D printer that will help the college provide more efficient and more affordable patient care at the Community Action Health Center of Western Nebraska (CAPWN). The college partners with CAPWN, a federally qualified health center, to provide dental services to rural Nebraskans.
"UNMC College of Dentistry dental hygiene students, dental students and residents, and the CAPWN staff will be able to 3D print crowns, bleaching trays, dentures and more, offering our patients both a time and cost savings as they continue to receive the highest quality oral health care," said Lisa Moravec, associate professor and coordinator for the UNMC College of Dentistry’s West Division.
3D printing is rapidly changing the dental industry. One of the fastest growing technologies, 3D printing allows oral health care providers to craft highly customized, reliable oral health solutions. The UNMC College of Dentistry stays on the forefront of dental education by training students to use this state-of-the-art dental technology so they build cutting-edge clinical skills while offering extraordinary patient care.
"I am excited to be able to use a dental 3D printer to offer our patients a more convenient, patient-friendly experience," said Jessica Adams, a first-year dental hygiene student. "By utilizing the most innovative dental technology, we can offer more rural Nebraskans professional, affordable dental care."
The UNMC College of Dentistry works to continually improve the oral health of the people of Nebraska through a humanistic approach to education, extraordinary patient care and innovative research. The college’s West Division was established in 2003 with the mission to recruit, educate and retain dental hygienists in rural Nebraska; provide rural health care experiences for UNMC dental students and residents; and offer rural Nebraskans increased access to dental care.
The Oregon Trail Community Foundation is dedicated to supporting projects that better communities and improve health care, education, wildlife preservation, historical landmarks, the arts and scientific research. The Foundation offers grants, scholarships and other services to organizations and individuals through funds provided by donations, memberships, bequests, trusts and other financial vehicles.
College of Dentistry’s West Division receives grant for cutting-edge technology
