Concerns Rise in Savannah Over New Dental School Plans

News Summary

The announcement of a new dental school at Georgia Southern University’s Armstrong Campus has raised concerns among local dental professionals in Savannah. Governor Brian Kemp has allocated $178 million for the school, set to open in Fall 2028. Critics worry about issues like dental student debt, lack of qualified faculty, and the potential lack of transparency in planning. They advocate for alternative solutions to enhance dental care access rather than creating a new institution.

Concerns Rise in Savannah Over New Dental School Plans

In a move that has sent ripples of concern across Savannah, state officials have announced plans for a new dental school at the Georgia Southern University Armstrong Campus. Governor Brian Kemp recently altered the state budget to allocate a whopping $178 million for this venture, projected to open its doors in Fall 2028. Yet, this initiative has sparked a wave of questions and skepticism among local dental professionals and stakeholders.

A Dental Desert: The Current State of Oral Health in Georgia

Georgia is often dubbed a “dental desert”, a term that highlights the shortage of dentists in relation to its large population of 11.3 million residents. With only 5,212 practicing dentists, many individuals, especially in rural areas, face long journeys to find adequate dental care, sometimes traveling over two hours just to reach Savannah.

Dr. Felix Maher, along with other concerned members of the dental community, is raising alarms that a new dental school might only add to the woes rather than alleviating them. Their primary concerns focus on existing issues like mounting dental student debt and the uneven distribution of dentists throughout the state. In fact, the only dental college in Georgia is currently grappling with 22 open faculty positions, which reflects an overarching challenge in attracting enough qualified educators to train the next generation of dentists.

The Ripple Effect of Debt and Job Opportunities

The average dental student in the U.S. faces a staggering debt of close to $300,000 upon graduation, a figure that many fear will discourage future graduates from pursuing careers in underserved communities. The concern is that without addressing these critical issues, a new college may not be the panacea that the state envisions. Additionally, with in-state tuition hovering around $27,000 per year and average rents in Savannah climbing to approximately $1,284, the financial burden on students could prove to be overwhelming.

Dr. Cara DeLeon, a pediatric dentist in Savannah, points out that the financial strain could deter graduates from serving in areas that desperately need dental professionals. She argues that state funds might be better utilized to address the pressing issues faced by the current dental care system instead of laying the groundwork for a new institution.

Concerns Over Planning and Stakeholder Involvement

Adding to the controversy, a letter from Dr. Maher and his associates expressed being “deeply troubled” by what they perceive as a lack of transparency in the school’s planning phases. They claim that key stakeholders, including the Georgia Dental Association and various relevant organizations, were excluded from crucial discussions about the new dental college. This has led to an atmosphere of uncertainty and doubt about the initiative.

Even state representatives like Dr. Lee Hawkins, while acknowledging the concerns, support the long-term vision behind the school. They argue that as Georgia’s population is expected to grow significantly, the demand for dental care will inevitably increase. However, the sentiment remains that discussions on the need for more dental practitioners had begun as early as 2022—and this recent news caught many by surprise.

Proposed Bills and Potential Outcomes

Complicating matters further, there is a proposed bill, HB 322, which allows licensed dentists from outside Georgia to obtain licenses to teach in state dental programs. Critics, including Dr. Maher, warn that this could lead to wage suppression and reduced job opportunities for qualified American dental professionals, further exacerbating the existing issues within the state.

The feasibility study that prompted the Governor’s funding decision noted a critical need for dentists specifically in rural areas, revealing that 136 out of 159 counties in Georgia are currently experiencing dental service shortages. Despite this pressing need, there’s strong advocacy for alternative solutions, such as enhancing clinic access in underserved regions operated by students and volunteer dentists, rather than focusing solely on creating a new dental college.

A Call for Change and Collaboration

As the community of Savannah watches the unfolding events surrounding the dental school proposal, many are hopeful for a solution that prioritizes collaboration rather than isolation. Stakeholders have suggested strengthening ties with existing dental schools to maximize resources instead of launching a new program. It remains to be seen whether the state’s plans will adapt to address these crucial concerns and ultimately serve the community’s needs effectively.

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Additional Resources

• Savannah Now: Concerns Over Dental College Funding
• Savannah Now: Bill to Attract Dental Instructors
• Grice Connect: Governor Kemp’s Dental School Proposal
• WSAV: Gov. Kemp Proposes Dental School Funding
• Wikipedia: Dental Care in the United States