New Mexico’s first pre-doctoral dental educational/clinical facility supports first class of 100
students and provides affordable dental care services to communities across the state
Albuquerque, N.M. – September 16, 2025 – Touro College of Dental Medicine (TCDM), the
first pre-doctoral dental program based in New Mexico, announces today the official grand
opening of its dental clinical training facility on the Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute
(LBRI) campus in Albuquerque, N.M. The new 70,000 square foot facility houses more than 100
dental units accommodating students who will be completing their education and clinical training
in New Mexico.
“Touro University is one of the leading educators of healthcare and oral health providers in the
country. TCDM’s commitment to excellence and its comprehensive training practice in
Albuquerque will provide the highest quality of dental education while offering affordable care
to the community,” said Touro University President Alan Kadish, M.D. “Our first class of 100
students have begun the next stage of their education in New Mexico and arrive equipped with
the extensive knowledge and skills to begin treating patients from the Albuquerque community.”
With thousands of New Mexicans unable to afford dental care, the opening of TCDM’s state-of-the-art dental clinical training facility will allow them to receive oral health care at an affordable
price. The students enrolled in the teaching practice, under supervision from dental professionals
and instructors, will perform dental examinations and procedures for those in need of treatment
who many not be able to afford professional dental work or have the flexibility to wait months
for an appointment. “TCDM opens in New Mexico to make a positive difference in the health of
New Mexicans of all ages and income levels. It is our mission to provide excellent, affordable
dental care services while training outstanding dental professionals who deliver exceptional
health care services to diverse communities throughout the state.” said TCDM Dean Ronnie Myers, D.D.S.
It can be difficult to make a dental appointment in New Mexico as the state lags behind the
nation in the average number of oral healthcare professionals. Recent studies found that New
Mexico has only 48.4 dentists per 100,000 people, significantly below the national average of
60.8 and considered one of the lowest ratios in the country. As students are more likely to
practice where they receive their dental education, graduates here may help improve this ratio.
TCDM is committed to meeting, through significantly lower fees, the needs of underserved,
underinsured and uninsured communities and improve oral health care in the areas it serves.
New Mexicans who need oral health care but lack insurance or are unable to pay the current fees
associated with professional dental services are encouraged to book an appointment with the
clinic by calling (505) 658-8236. “It is an easy process to book an appointment at TCDM as our
professionals speak both English and Spanish and schedule examinations to fit the needs of our
patients,” said Myers.
With the opening of the dental clinical training facility, the new faculty offers students years of
experience in academia and extensive clinical practices including general dentistry and all dental
specialties, as well as continuing education opportunities for practicing professionals. “We are
dedicated to providing our patients with the highest quality care and our students with the best
educational experience. This enables the college to offer a full-range of dental training under one
roof, while providing students with hands-on exposure to and training in all dental disciplines
and patients the care that they need,” said TCDM Executive Assistant Dean Joseph Parkinson,
D.D.S.
The opening of the TCDM in New Mexico is an estimated $40 million investment by Touro
University including the property acquisition and construction of the dental college. Positively
impacting educational and economic development in Albuquerque and throughout the state.
TCDM provides dozens of new high-paying jobs for New Mexicans to support the school and
clinic.
“The New Mexico Dental Association welcomes the opening of TCDM’s Albuquerque campus
to support the entire New Mexico dental community,” stated Dr. Tom Schripsema, executive
director of the New Mexico Dental Association. “We will bring needed care to New Mexico’s
diverse communities and look forward to exploring collaboration on our ongoing efforts to
educate local students and the next generation of oral health professionals”
TCDM’s new dental clinic expands on the success of the organization’s New York campus and
offers educational opportunities to students to serve diverse communities. The students in New
Mexico receive the same high level of academic support and student services, faculty to student
ratios, educational facilities, and clinical experiences.
Touro University and Touro College of Dental Medicine believe that creating a dental and
clinical educational facility in New Mexico will deliver necessary dental care to those in need,
while also providing local access to New Mexico students interested in becoming dentists and
continuing education for current oral health professionals.
About Touro University
Touro University is a system of non-profit institutions of higher and professional education
chartered in 1970. Touro was founded primarily to enrich the Jewish heritage and to serve the
larger American and global community. Approximately 19,000 students are currently enrolled at
Touro University’s various schools and divisions, which encompass 37 campuses and locations
in New York, California, Illinois, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Berlin, Jerusalem and
Moscow. New York Medical College; Touro University California and Touro University Nevada;
Touro University Worldwide and its Touro College Los Angeles division; as well as Hebrew
Theological College in Skokie, Illinois are separately accredited institutions within the Touro
University system. For more information, visit www.touro.edu.
About Touro College of Dental Medicine
Touro College of Dental Medicine (TCDM) is located in Westchester County on the campus of
New York Medical College, which serves as the principal academic public health resource for the
New York Hudson Valley and southwestern Connecticut. TCDM is dedicated to graduating
outstanding dental professionals and conducting important clinical research, while providing
vital dental health services to the public through its state-of-the-art, 115-chair dental training
facility. TCDM is the first new school of dentistry in New York State in almost 50 years and the
first in the United States under Jewish auspices. For more information, visit:
www.dental.touro.edu
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