University of Rochester Will Open Dental School in 2027
The new Eastman School of Dentistry will address critical local provider shortages starting January 1, 2027.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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The University of Rochester will establish the Eastman School of Dentistry on January 1, 2027, marking the institution's first new school in over 50 years. The move transitions the existing dentistry program into an independent academy capable of conferring its own degrees and securing research funding.
Why it matters
The establishment of the school aims to address a severe regional shortage of dental care providers. Current data shows significant gaps in local access, with existing wait times for treatment reaching up to four years for some patients.
Common Ground Health identified 4 Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas in the region, where there is currently a waitlist of 35,000 patients. The new school is expected to produce approximately 20 new dentists each year to help reduce current treatment wait times of up to 4 years.
The players
University of Rochester
A private research university in New York that is home to various academic programs and medical training centers.
Common Ground Health
A regional health planning organization that analyzes community health data and identifies professional shortage areas.
The details
The university will restructure its current School of Medicine and Dentistry into the School of Medicine as part of this shift. This independent academy will focus on training new practitioners to serve patients with disabilities and chronic conditions.
Timeline
January 1, 2027: The Eastman School of Dentistry will officially open.
Market Landscape
This development marks a significant expansion for the University of Rochester, as it is the first new school established at the institution in over 50 years. The move allows the dentistry program to gain the independence necessary to compete for specialized research grants and increase local provider capacity.
Residents currently facing four-year wait times for dental treatment may see increased access to care once the school begins training new dentists. The school will prioritize providing dental services for patients with disabilities and chronic health conditions.
The takeaway
The university is leveraging its academic independence to tackle regional health disparities in Rochester and surrounding counties. This new facility serves as a long-term strategy to expand the local healthcare workforce and improve patient outcomes.
Further reading
Learn more about local business changes in the Rochester Openings & Closings section.
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