College of Dentistry’s West Division receives grant for cutting-edge technology
The UNMC College of Dentistry’s West Division in Gering, Nebraska, 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 everything in between, 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.
“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.”
UNMC receives Research!America 2021 Civic Engagement Microgrant
UNMC is among the recipients of the 2021 Civic Engagement Microgrant Initiative, awarded annually by Research!America and the Rita Allen Foundation. Now in its third year, the microgrant program provides funding to graduate student and postdoc-led science policy groups from across the U.S. to develop and lead outreach activities in their local communities.
The $1,500 microgrant will fund the “Health and Science Policy Seminar Series” at UNMC, a monthly lunchtime virtual seminar to generate interest in science and health policy and address students and staff questions concerning state and federal legislative efforts. The seminars have the parallel goal to provide exposure and training to students concerning science and health policy advocacy.