The University of the Philippines Manila College of Dentistry (UPCD) opened a dental facility designed as a venue to ramp up the oral health status of Filipinos through advanced learning, training, research, and comprehensive oral care.
The Center for Oral Health (COH) will provide comprehensive multi-disciplinary services to patients with dental-related diseases, trauma, discomfort, pain, and disability.
The 460sqm state-of-the-art facility housed on the fourth floor of the UPCD is divided into two major sections: the patient-based section comprised of treatment rooms and a diagnostic imaging room; and the non-patient-based section composed of the central sterilization room, digital design, and fabrication laboratory, 3D imaging and radiology, study lounge, conference, and AVP room, and pre-clinical consultation room, among others.
The COH also boasts of having its own clean water treatment and filtration system that also serves the needs of the college.
“There is no other dental school that provides this level of comprehensive dental care and training. The students of the College of Dentistry are very lucky to have this opportunity to be exposed to advanced dental training,” Chancellor Carmencita Padilla remarked. “Likewise, dental practitioners do not have to go overseas just to obtain this kind of training.”
A model center worth emulating
In her message, UPCD Dean Michelle Segarra pledged the College of Dentistry’s commitment to “pursuing the dream of making the Center of Oral Health a landmark institution not only of the University of the Philippines but of the entire country.”
The COH is realized with the generous support of the LT Group, Inc. and Jaime V. Ongpin Foundation, Inc., through the stewardship of UPCD immediate past dean, Dr. Danilo L. Magtanong and the initiatives of Asst. Prof. Dr. Arnon L. Rivera as the Project Proponent.
“We are all witnesses of what the University of the Philippines has done to many of our colleagues in government, especially in public health, and what you do for our countrymen,” Mr. Reinaldo Bautista, Jr., President of the JVOFI, noted. “This is the only way we can give back to [UP],” he added.
Donors were reassured by UP President Danilo Concepcion that every contribution to UP is worthwhile. “Sa mga ibinibigay o dino-donate sa atin ng ating mga kababayan o ng ating mga supporters, lahat ay isinusulit. Kaya nakakasiguro ako na hindi naman kayo magsasawa sa pagbibigay ng tulong sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas,” said President Concepcion.
Moving forward, the UPCD is working on getting additional support from various sectors to make the oral facility self-sustaining and establish globally competitive programs.
(This article, written by Anne Marie Alto, was first published in the UP Manila website on 27 February 2023 and in the UP Manila Healthscape No. 48)