West Virginia University School of Dentistry recently opened a CRET Innovation Center that features the latest technologies, operatory equipment, and products donated by dental manufacturers. These donations allow dental students to get experience with new technologies they will likely work with in practice after graduation. The WVU Center joins CRET Centers at the Loma Linda University School of Dentistry and at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry.
CRET (Center for Research & Education in Technology) was founded in 2004 by a group of forward-thinking industry leaders with the mission to provide dental students a chance to use the latest innovations in dental treatment while in school. Thirty-six dental manufacturers, including DENTALEZ® Integrated Solutions, have donated a wide range of equipment to these new technology centers.
DENTALEZ Integrated Solutions has been working with CRET since the first innovation center was under development and has provided a patient chair, operatory light, and delivery unit package to each of the three locations, as well as a variety of its StarDental handpieces. DENTALEZ operatory systems are known for their comfortable, sleek, ergonomic design, simplicity of use, and exceptional reliability.
“DENTALEZ is extremely proud to participate in the CRET center project,” says Ric Vordermark, Senior Director of Sales. “Giving dental students the chance to use current technologies is integral to their success as practitioners. Dentistry has become such a fast-paced environment of technological advancement. Current generations of dental students, raised in a much more ‘high tech’ world, will provide valuable feedback to industry CRET participants that will result in further innovations.”
Renovations at WVU began in July that included removing all the existing operatory walls and stations, upgrading and improving technologies from floor to ceiling, and creating five new state-of-the-art operatories. Students begin training in the new Center this month.
CRET’s mission in the dental industry is to make available to dental students advances in oral health-care technology that are helping today’s practicing dentists ensure better patient experiences and treatment outcomes. The CRET centers enable students and faculty to experience and keep up with the rapid pace of technological change and emerging technologies.
To watch a video about the WVU CRET Center, click here or to learn more about DENTALEZ, click here.