The Wichita State University Foundation hosted a grand opening for WSU's Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) building Monday, Oct. 24, in its new facility at 2838 N. Oliver St.

Speakers were WSU President Don Beggs; WSU Foundation President and CEO Elizabeth King; Ed McKechnie, chair of the Kansas Board of Regents; Peter Cohen, dean of the WSU College of Health Professions; Dexter Woods, AEGD program director; and Linda Brantner, president and CEO of Delta Dental of Kansas.

"Prior to the completion of the facility, our residents were primarily treating urgent dental needs," said Cohen. "But now, all aspects of general dentistry will be available to them. Our program will give true comprehensive care exposure to our residents, enabling them to provide extensive services to meet all needs in urban and rural areas."

Ceremony attendees included members of the AEGD campaign cabinet, the current class of residents in the AEGD program, representatives of the top AEGD donors, members of the WSU Foundation staff and Board of Directors, and other AEGD and university faculty and staff, in addition to the general public.

"It was a true inspiration to see members of our donor family in the audience today, witnessing a milestone in history for Wichita State University and Wichita," said King. "The completion of the AEGD facility may close one chapter in the story about dental education in Kansas, but this is a story that will continually unfold as we extend the program to serve more needs in our community and the communities across Kansas."

When the facility has been operational for a year, university leadership will apply to extend the curriculum to a two-year program. The first two groups of residents trained at GraceMed Clinic, the Robert J. Dole Department of Veterans Affairs medical center and other sites. With accreditation, future second-year residents will rotate to clinical sites throughout Kansas.

Training in the AEGD facility is provided in all phases of general dentistry, including pediatrics, orthodontics, periodontics, operative/restorative dentistry, endodontics, prosthodontics, implantology, oral surgery, oral medicine, oral pathology, patient management, practice management, conscious sedation and risk management.

The facility was designed and built by Howard + Helmer Architects and Martin K. Eby Construction Co. Inc.