Overview
Established in 1893, the School of Dentistry is one of the oldest dental schools in the country. In addition to our Doctor of Dental Surgery degree program, we also offer seven advanced education programs and a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene. The mission of the school is to provide educational programs that prepare graduates who are competent to provide dental care services; generate new knowledge through research and other scholarly activity; and provide quality oral health care to the public and service to the community. As the only dental school in Virginia, VCU fills a unique and important niche for the commonwealth by educating the majority of dentists.

Educational need
We have been successful in reinvesting in our institution through annual renovations of clinical facilities. However, we have not been able to maintain the state-of-the-art preclinical laboratories our faculty and students need and want. Our preclinical laboratories have received only minor renovations over the last 30 years. The equipment in the labs is older than most of our students.

Campaign priorities
The School of Dentistry at Virginia Commonwealth University has launched an exciting new initiative — Clinical Simulation: Advancing Dental Education Through Innovative Technology. Simulation allows students to gain the critical thinking and decision-making skills needed for treatment planning in preparation for treating patients. There are three main components of the Clinical Simulation campaign:

I. Virtual Dentistry Learning Center
With 3-D graphics and real-time imaging, tracking and feedback, virtual reality simulators really are as close to the true clinical experience as preclinical students can get. DentSim Virtual Reality Training Units, which can be available to students 24/7, allow them to practice ideal tooth preparations without the direct supervision of instructors. The dental school anticipates incorporating 20 DentSim Virtual Reality Simulators into the learning center. As students begin tooth preparations, sensors produce a simultaneously mirrored 3-D image on the monitor. Students receive immediate, objective, detailed feedback greatly reducing the amount of time students must spend waiting for an evaluation from the professor.

II. Clinical Simulation Laboratory
This space will be home to 100 simulation stations, each complete with a mannequin, air/water syringe, suction, high- and low- speed handpieces, dental light, networked computer stations and high-speed Internet access. Students will learn hand-eye coordination skills and gain experience in proper operator-patient positioning through simulation. The end result is a smoother and earlier transition from laboratory to clinic.

III. VCU School of Dentistry Conference Facility
Dental education is ever changing. With the introduction of computers and case-based learning, dental education requires smaller group instruction and evaluation. This space will create new instruction opportunities for our D.D.S. students, advanced education residents, dental hygiene students, faculty and staff. We will take full advantage of this meeting space to host continuing education courses, lectureship series, board examinations, receptions and student meetings.

This is an ambitious renovation project that will introduce clinical simulation and virtual dentistry to the school. To succeed, we will need the support of our alumni and friends. This is an exciting time for the VCU School of Dentistry and we hope you choose to play a significant role in the future of our school and our campaign.

Contact
For more information about this exciting initiative please contact Ed Kardos, director of development:

Phone: (804) 828-4516
Fax: (804) 828-6072
E-mail: egkardos@vcu.edu
Web site: http://www.dentistry.vcu.edu

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