Editorial: Of caps, gowns and crowns

Tuesday, May 16, 2006 | 7:47 a.m.

With Nevada ranking 50th in the nation for its paucity of dentists, and with the state also posting the highest rate of dental disease in the country, planning for UNLV's School of Dental Medicine began in 1997. The Legislature initially balked at the expense, but relented in time for the first class to begin in 2002. That class, 71 students, graduated Saturday.

Classes are scheduled to increase yearly until they reach 300 students. It's not likely there will ever be a shortage - the Class of 2006 was chosen from among more than 1,200 applicants.

In addition to graduating dozens of new dentists every year, many of whom will increase access to care by remaining in the area, the school itself is increasing the availability of care. The dental school's dean, Pat Ferrillo, said 215,000 patients have been treated at the school over the past four years.

As more and more graduating students pass their state license exams and branch out into specialized areas of dentistry, Nevada's national ranking cannot help but improve. Additionally, on Monday, the Community College of Southern Nevada graduated its first class of dental hygienists earning bachelor's degrees. With these dental programs, UNLV and the community college are broadening their service to the community.