Manor College Photo by James Short.
The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development has granted Local Share Account funds that will benefit the expansion and renovation of Manor College’s Dental Health Center.
“We are thrilled to move this project forward in such a way that will have a meaningful and lasting impact,” Dr. Jonathan Peri, Manor College President, said. “The work that will be done here in Abington Township will serve so many of our neighbors, especially seniors, throughout the region with more high quality, low cost dental care.”
Local Share Account funds are a portion of Commonwealth gaming revenue distributed to support local public interest projects like community improvement, economic development and infrastructure. Manor College will receive $625,123 for the cost of the project, which was supported by Representative Ben Sanchez, state senators Art Haywood and Maria Collett, and fellow state representatives Nancy Guenst and Melissa Cerrato.
Manor College established the Dental Health Center in 1979 as a full-service dental facility for the community. The Dental Health Center became a teaching facility in 1995 when Manor College debuted its Dental Hygiene program in 1995. As such, dental services are offered at rates that are about 50 percent lower than the average fee in surrounding area private practices. More than 1,300 patients receive care through the Dental Health Center.
The Dental Health Center provides essential dental services to community members in need, including those without insurance, while also serving as a clinical training site.
“This project reflects a strong commitment to both education and community health,” Sanchez said. “Manor College plays a vital role in ensuring access to quality, compassionate dental care for our neighbors.”
The project includes renovating the building to allow for additional dental stations, in addition to purchasing and installing the equipment needed for the additional stations.
“It allows us to further serve the community by adding chairs while opening the program to more students who really want to get into Dental Hygiene,” said Jaime Simpson, Director of Manor College’s Dental Health Center. “It is truly transformational for the Dental Health Center.”
About Manor College
Located in suburban Philadelphia, Manor College is a small college that offers big opportunities and a stellar education – one with small classes full of big thinkers, and a big-hearted community ready to challenge all of our students to reach and grow. Manor offers more than 30 Associate’s, Bachelor’s and Certificate programs in Allied Health, Arts and Sciences, Business and Professional Studies, and Education to traditional age and adult students. Manor College is America’s only accredited institution of higher education founded by Ukrainian Sisters, the Sisters of Saint Basil the Great. Learn more at www.manor.edu.