Detroit Mercy to bring dental education center to Vermont

The University of Detroit Mercy (UDM), in collaboration with the Vermont State Dental Society (VSDS), Sen. Bernie Sanders, and Sen. Peter Welch are spearheading an innovative partnership to establish a Dental Oral Health Education Center in Vermont. Set to launch in Fall 2027, this program aims to address critical oral health care shortages in the state while providing UDM dental students with unique training opportunities.  

For Vermont, where access to dental care is limited, this initiative represents a significant step forward.  

According to Dean Mert Aksu, dean of the School of Dentistry at UDM, “Vermont has tried many strategies to enhance the number of providers in the state. Sen. Sanders has a long history of supporting oral health initiatives, and this partnership aligns perfectly with those goals.”  

The program allows UDM dental students to complete their final years of training in Vermont, gaining hands-on experience in both urban and rural healthcare settings.  

Dr. John Ryder, associate dean for academic administration at UDM, emphasized the educational benefits of this approach.  

“Students will have the chance to study in two very different environments—Detroit’s urban setting and Vermont’s rural areas — giving them exposure to diverse patient needs and care delivery systems,” he said. 

This dual-campus program also aligns with UDM’s mission of community-based learning and service.  

Aksu highlighted the alignment with the University’s Jesuit and Mercy traditions. 

 “Providing education and access to care in underserved areas reflects our commitment to offering opportunities for those who might not otherwise have them,” he said. 

The impact on Vermont is expected to be transformative.  

According to Ryder, the state faces an ongoing dental care crisis, with many practitioners retiring and few replacements entering the workforce.

 “In Vermont, the number of dentists retiring outpaces new graduates, leaving patients with limited options,” Ryder said. 

By bringing UDM students to Vermont, the program aims to fill this gap while encouraging graduates to remain in the state to practice.   

The partnership will also address Medicaid coverage issues in Vermont.  

 “Many dentists in Vermont do not accept Medicaid or provide limited services for Medicaid patients,” Ryder said. “Our program will immediately help by becoming a Medicaid provider, ensuring access to care for underserved populations.”  

Support for students transitioning to Vermont will be a priority. Aksu explained that the program will offer “a structured learning environment with well-calibrated faculty and backing from local organizations like federally qualified health centers. He added “this structure will help students acclimate and thrive in their new surroundings.”   

UDM faculty are excited about the program’s potential to elevate the University’s reputation as a leader in dental education.  

 “This is a cutting-edge idea, one of only a few in the country,” Ryder said. “It’s drawing attention from other dental schools and leaders in the profession.”  

As UDM prepares for the program’s Fall 2027 launch, the excitement surrounding this partnership continues to grow.  

“The Vermont community has been key from day one,” Aksu said. “This program was built on their input and designed to address their needs. We’re looking forward to seeing the impact it will have, both for Vermonters and for our students.”   

This innovative partnership not only strengthens the pipeline of dental care providers in Vermont but also furthers UDM’s commitment to educational excellence and community service.