There are 59 full-time faculty. The activities of both students and faculty are facilitated by 185 dedicated administrative, clinical, and research staff. Access to Oral Health Care for Kentuckians Direct care of patients to achieve UKCD's educational mission and to provide treatment for the socio-economically disadvantaged has been an integral part of the institution since its inception. In recent years, however, as state funding has decreased, it has become an essential part of the budgetary calculus and is having an increasing impact on how the institution allocates its resources. Two years ago, the UKCD introduced a dental HMO for University of Kentucky faculty and staff and their dependents.
Patients receive care from faculty and post-doctoral students.
The University of Kentucky is a land-grant institution. Consequently, as one of its 17 constituent units, the College of Dentistry has a statewide oral health mission and a rich tradition of involvement throughout the Commonwealth in programs to improve the oral health of Kentuckians and to challenge dental students to become community leaders. In establishing these programs, the College has developed close working relationships with local stakeholders and advocates including members of the dental practice community. College faculty and students provide oral health care for socio-economically disadvantaged children and older Kentuckians through a statewide network of school based and mobile dental clinics. Pediatric dental residents and faculty provide care for children with special needs from throughout the state in clinics at the Kosair Children's Hospital in Louisville and at the University of Kentucky Children's Hospital in Lexington.