On-campus dental center has grand opening

White, healthy smiles were shining Thursday afternoon at the grand opening of the UCF Dental Center.

The UCF Dental Center is a state-of-the-art dental facility, said President Hitt at the ceremony. "With the addition of this new dental center, our students will have even greater access to first-grade health care and dentistry right where they live, study and work."

Hitt also spoke about the quick progress of UCF Health Services. "Just five years ago we celebrated the grand opening of the new Health Center," he said. "Now we are privileged to add this new Dental Center."

The ceremony was held at noon in the Dental Clinic conference room on the second floor of the UCF Health Center. A ribbon cutting ceremony followed speeches by many of the people responsible for the UCF Dental Center becoming a reality, including Maribeth Ehasz, vice president for Student Development and Enrollment Services; Brian Peterson, student body president; Dr. Annelise Driscoll, assistant director of UCF Dental Services and Dr. Bob Wirag, director of Health Services.

"This was the most fun project of my career," said Driscoll. "We finished the project on time and under budget and that's pretty exciting."

The Dental Center saw around 155 patients by the end of the fall 2009 semester, according to Wirag. The UCF Dental Center provides students, faculty and staff with services such as crowns, bridges, urgent dental care and teeth whitening systems.

"This is about students, for students and students made the decision to dedicate their funds to this facility," said Ehasz.

"Nobody appreciates good hygiene as much as the student body does," said Peterson. An SGA logo is visible when entering the Dental Center to serve as "an important reminder that all the CITF funds [Capital Improvement Trust Fund] provided by students were a major support of this project."

The Dental Center, located on the third floor of the Health Center, consists of four operatories and has room for at least two more. Digital X-rays, flat screen televisions and headphones are in each operatory. A panoramic X-ray machine and hygiene room are also in the center.

Intraoral cameras allow Dr. Joseph M. Chasko, DMD, dentist at the new center, to project his findings in patients' teeth onto the flat screen televisions. "Being able to see them on the screens helps the patients understand what problems may be occurring in their mouths," said Dr. Chasko. "As an educational tool, it makes a lot of sense."

Driscoll introduced the rest of the Dental Center staff, including Wendy Hart, dental hygienist; Carmen Miranda, dental assistant; Cenelly Rodriguez, dental assistant and Jenny Cavaliere, coordinator administrative services for Dental Services.

Also recognized at the event: Bob Faust, former director for Health Services; Dr. Geraldine "Gerri" Ferris, former UCF Board of Trustees member; Phyllis Klock, Board of Trustees member; Dr. Mark Allen Poisel associate vice president Student Development; PPI Construction Management; the UCF Health Services leadership team; UCF Facilities Improvement department, Frannie Marmorstein, chair of the Student Health Advisory Committee; Kyle Simpson, SGA Student Health specialist; Josh Cline, director of dental relations; Dr. Louise Pitts, dean of Health Sciences and Valencia Community College and Pam Sandy, department chair of Dental Hygiene, among others.

Attendees could enjoy refreshments, goodie-bags and tours of the facility. For more information or to make an appointment, call 407-823-1635.