3M Helps U of M School of Dentistry Renovate Teaching Labs
Nov. 12, 2007
 A 3M Foundation grant to the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry will help replace outdated instructional equipment with patient mannequins and virtual reality-based simulation equipment and will use interactive multimedia to give beginning students real-time feedback on their performance. The $1-million award, the lead gift toward a $10.5 million project that will revolutionize dental education at the University of Minnesota, will position the U as the best-equipped dental school among the Big Ten conference's colleges.
The technology will create a realistic clinical environment, providing lifelike patient experiences for beginning dental students. Research shows that students learn better and faster with virtual reality-based technology. The project involves renovating 11,200 square feet on the fourth floor of Moos Tower and building 120 advanced workstations.
"Our gift to the School of Dentistry builds on our commitment to education and to the residents of Minnesota," said Alex Cirillo, vice president for community affairs at 3M. "We are pleased to make this investment in students and their success in the field of dentistry. We also hope that this gift encourages others to support this important project, which benefits so many people because of the role the university plays in training Minnesota's dental practitioners and providing continuing dental education to practicing professionals in the region."
The University of Minnesota educates nearly 80 percent of the state's practicing dentists and 60 percent of its dental specialists. Dental students typically spend their first two years studying biomedical sciences and biomaterials, and practicing on models to fine-tune the eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity skills they'll need for the practice of dentistry. Third- and fourth-year students treat patients in the school's on-campus and community dental clinics.
According to the school's dean, Patrick Lloyd Lloyd, the new technology also
allows for self-paced learning, which means that faster learners will transition
more quickly into patient care experiences. Ultimately, the school plans to move
senior dental students into rotations at community-based educational facilities
around the state, such as the ones located in north and south Minneapolis and
Hibbing and an upcoming facility in Willmar.
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