U of L's School of Dentistry Completes Renovation Project

Renovations to University of Louisville’s School of Dentistry are complete, and school officials say student enrollment and patients are increasing as a result.The two-year, $45 million improvement project added more space and updated school equipment and technology. The school remained open during the renovations and worked around student and staff schedules, said Dr. John Sauk, School of Dentistry dean.The University schedules around 90,000 patient visits a year and keeping facilities and equipment updated is always considered, said Sauk. The renovation project included an investment of $7.5 million in equipment and technology.“In today’s world, which is pretty much digital with regards to delivering care and relative to the records and everything else that goes along, it behooved us to bring up this facility so it was contemporary with what was going on out in private practice," he said.Sauk said University funds were not used for the project. Instead, money came from increasing student enrollment, philanthropy and patient fees. There are now 120 students enrolled in the freshman and sophomore classes. Previously 85 students were accepted into the program. This allows the University to schedule more patient appointments, said Sauk.The school is now more energy efficient as a result of the renovations and the school plans on applying for LEED certification, said school officials.The dentistry school moved to its current Preston Street location in 1970. Since then, it has had few updates.