UNLV is moving forward with its plans to open Nevada's first school of dentistry and expects to welcome the first class of 40-50 students in the fall semester of 2000.

Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn signed legislation on June 8 that authorizes UNLV to generate $7.5 million in operating funds from non-state revenue and allows the University and Community College System of Nevada to issue $30 million in revenue bonds to fund construction of a dental school facility on the UNLV campus.

"We are very excited about this opportunity to educate aspiring dentists in Nevada and to bring much-needed dental care to low-income adults and, especially, children," UNLV President Carol C. Harter said. "An important part of our mission as an urban university is to address the needs of our community and region through appropriate research and professional programs. The UNLV School of Dentistry will be an outstanding addition to our professional academic and research activities."

The UNLV School of Dentistry will be the 56th dental school in the nation, the 38th at a public institution.

Assuming that the dental program is able to generate the necessary revenues, plans call for the new school to begin accepting applications in August 1999 and for the application deadline to be March 1, 2000. The school will begin notifying accepted students in December of 1999.

Application and admission information may be obtained from Dr. Christine Ancajas, director of admissions, at 651-5698.

The UNLV School of Dentistry will help meet the need for additional dentists per year to serve the rapidly growing state population, according to State Sen. Ray Rawson, a dentist and director of dental programs for the University and Community College System of Nevada. He says that among the Nevada students who graduate from schools in other states that have interstate education agreements with Nevada, an average of only three per year return to their home state to practice.

The new school is expected to greatly improve dental care for poor children and seniors in Nevada -- significantly under-served populations who are covered by Medicaid funding but who have had limited access to dental care. With a new clinic planned for UNLV, and in cooperation with other clinics affiliated with the school throughout the state, teaching dentists, dental residents, and advanced students will serve as many as 50,000 disadvantaged children.

Revenue generated by the program's practicing dentists is expected to fund operating costs and retire revenue bonds for future construction.