Gov. Johanns visits UNMC College of Dentistry

Gov. Mike Johanns, center, visits with Rhonda Simpson, sterile services supervisor at the College of Dentistry, and John Reinhardt, D.D.S., dean of the College of Dentistry.

On Tuesday, Gov. Mike Johanns toured the College of Dentistry clinic, which is being upgraded, as well as research labs and the recently completed $1.3 million instrument management center.

The equipment in the management center was manufactured in Omaha and is the finest institutional grade sterilization unit available, said College of Dentistry Dean John Reinhardt, D.D.S. A team from New York University School of Dentistry traveled to Lincoln Wednesday to view the center.

During the governor’s visit, Dr. Reinhardt highlighted the college’s educational success, research growth, and outreach and service to the state. The governor also learned more about this weekend’s Dental Day VI in Alliance, Neb. Traditionally, Dental Day clinics are at the College of Dentistry in Lincoln, but this is the first time faculty, staff and students will take the free dental clinic to children in western Nebraska. Approximately 100 underprivileged children from Alliance and Hemingford, Neb., will receive free dental treatment and education.