State approves funding to build VCU School of Dentistry building

By Vernon Freeman
School of Dentistry

The state budget approved Monday by the General Assembly includes funding for Virginia Commonwealth University to construct a new School of Dentistry building on VCU's health sciences campus. Gov. Abigail Spanberger is expected to sign the budget imminently, ahead of the new fiscal year on July 1.

The five-story, 312,000-square-foot facility will include classrooms, academic offices, cutting-edge academic laboratories, and clinics for predoctoral, dental hygiene and specialty dentistry programs, aligning with modern practices in dental education.

The facility will be constructed on the current Larrick Student Center site, which is slated for demolition in spring 2027, positioning the building in close proximity to existing and future university and health system facilities on the health sciences campus, while also ensuring convenient access for patients and community members.

"We are profoundly grateful to the General Assembly and Governor Spanberger for their support of this transformative investment in our School of Dentistry," said VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D. "The approval of this new facility reflects a shared commitment to improving access to care for Virginians, strengthening the healthcare workforce and serving communities across our state. This building will elevate dental education, expand clinical training opportunities and ensure we are preparing the next generation of dental professionals to meet the evolving needs of Virginians."

The new School of Dentistry facility will include classrooms, academic offices, cutting-edge academic laboratories, and clinics for predoctoral, dental hygiene and specialty dentistry programs, aligning with modern practices in dental education. (School of Dentistry)

The School of Dentistry currently accommodates more than 100,000 patient visits each year from across the commonwealth, and it is the state's primary dental safety-net clinic, serving as the largest provider of dental care to Virginians insured by Medicaid. As the only dental school in Virginia, the School of Dentistry is also the only facility in the state that offers complete multidisciplinary dental care.

Along with preventive care, the school's comprehensive care includes oral surgery, periodontics, orthodontics, prosthodontics, oral medicine, dental sleep medicine and more.

"I want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who championed and supported a new dental building for the School of Dentistry. Because of your dedication and advocacy, this long-standing vision is now moving forward," said Jeff Johnson, D.M.D., Ed.D., interim dean of the VCU School of Dentistry. "This new state-of-the-art facility will enable increased student enrollment and advanced clinical learning environments, ensuring that we can provide exceptional care for our patients while preparing the next generation of dentists and dental hygienists to serve the commonwealth of Virginia."

The new building will allow the School of Dentistry to welcome more patients, expand its clinic for adults with special needs, support continued innovation in clinical care, tackle workforce challenges and compete with schools in other states for the highest-caliber students and faculty.

"This new facility represents a monumental leap forward for our students, faculty, staff and community," said Arturo Saavedra, M.D., Ph.D., executive vice president and provost. "With a world-class environment for clinical innovation and research, we are ensuring that VCU remains a top destination for the brightest minds in oral health. For our students, we will provide unparalleled hands-on training, preparing them to lead in an evolving healthcare landscape. Most importantly, this investment strengthens our bond with the Richmond community and the commonwealth, creating a welcoming space where education, research and compassionate patient care all go hand-in-hand."

The new School of Dentistry building "will elevate dental education, expand clinical training opportunities and ensure we are preparing the next generation of dental professionals to meet the evolving needs of Virginians," according to VCU President Michael Rao. (School of Dentistry)

The facility will also feature contemporary support spaces for the school community, green spaces - including a student courtyard, community garden and a cafe on the main floor, open to the entire university community - along with five multipurpose classrooms available for university events and meetings.

The state's investment in the new School of Dentistry building will benefit VCU, its students and faculty, and patients from across the commonwealth of Virginia, Saavedra added.

The building is being designed by nationally recognized design firms Kahler Slater and Hanbury and constructed by Barton Malow Company. Construction is slated to begin in May 2027, with anticipated completion by late 2029.

The planned dentistry building will allow for increased student enrollment and provide advanced clinical learning environments, according to Jeff Johnson, interim dean of the VCU School of Dentistry. (School of Dentistry)