Dental school professors hope to practice where they teach

As it stands now, patients who go to UNLV's dental school for treatment but who need work that is more complicated than what the students can perform are referred somewhere else. Maybe a private clinic in Summerlin, or Henderson, or who knows where in the valley.

The school's overseers want to change that. They're asking the higher education system's Board of Regents to approve a plan that would open an on-campus practice staffed by the school's professors, who already are practicing dentists. But because there is no practice on campus, the dentists-professors usually practice somewhere far away from the school.

"We're all spread out," said Ronald Lemon, the school's associate dean of advanced education. The dental school is at Charleston Boulevard and Shadow Lane.

The board is scheduled to take up the issue today at its meeting, to be held in Elko. The plan has been in the works since the school opened in 2002.

UNLV's rules allow dental professors to practice dentistry one day a week, typical at a dental school where the professors are also professionals. Most of the professors do so; they usually are independent contractors at local dental clinics.

Nationally, nearly every dental school operates its own private practice, UNLV officials said. The motivation is twofold: First, it keeps the professors sharp and up to date on the latest technology and techniques. Second, it gives patients -- mostly poor, many without adequate transportation -- a single place to get treatment.

Professors still would be limited to practicing one day a week, only it would be at the clinic rather than at a private practice elsewhere in town.

Startup costs for the on-campus clinic would be $200,000, according to documents given to the board. They would cover such things as office equipment and the salaries of office staffers for the first few months.

It would be paid back as the clinic begins to make money, starting in its fourth year. The clinic is expected to financially support itself. The clinic, essentially a group practice, will pay rent to the school.

Dental school Dean Karen West said having such a facility would help the relatively new school recruit professors.

She said officials expect eight to 10 professors to practice in the clinic, with more coming in as time goes by.

She said faculty who practice in the clinic will be paid for their services -- as they are when they work in private clinics -- but that such payment would be made only after the clinic's costs are met.

Professor Francis Curd, who joined the school three years ago after practicing in the Midwest, said he plans on joining the clinic if it's approved by the board. He currently practices part time at a clinic on Eastern Avenue.

Contact reporter Richard Lake at rlake@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0307.