AU breaks ground on new Dental College of Georgia campus in Savannah – Jagwire

For more than 57 years, the Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University has served as the state’s only dental college, having approximately 400 dental students and 60 dental hygiene students enrolled each year, with an additional 60 residents being trained. Now, the institution is expanding that mission with the creation of the Dental College of Georgia – Savannah.

Slated to open in summer 2028, DCG – Savannah on the Armstrong Campus of Georgia Southern University will increase the school’s educational capacity, strengthen Georgia’s dental workforce, expand AU’s health sciences research mission and improve access to oral health care across the state.

On April 29, AU, DCG and GS leadership joined faculty, staff, students, alumni, elected officials and community members in Savannah to break ground on the future Dental College of Georgia – Savannah campus, a major step toward addressing Georgia’s shortage of dental care providers.

“Since 1969, the Dental College of Georgia has carried a profound responsibility, and that’s to prepare highly skilled oral health professionals and to help meet Georgia’s dental care needs. That responsibility remains as important as ever,” said Augusta University President Russell T. Keen. “This groundbreaking represents more than the start of construction. It reflects what can happen when people come together around a shared purpose and an ‘it can be done’ spirit. I’m grateful to Governor Brian Kemp, Lt. Governor Burt Jones, House Speaker Jon Burns, the members of the Georgia General Assembly, Chancellor Sonny Perdue and the University System of Georgia Board of Regents for helping make this vision possible.”

KEY NUMBERS

• $178 million state investment
• 50 additional dentists and 20 additional hygienists educated annually
• 400+ jobs supported once operational
• Georgia ranks 46th in dental providers per capita
• 18 Georgia counties have no practicing dentist
• $70+ million annually regional economic impact
• Opening planned for 2028

Addressing Georgia’s dentist shortage

Currently, Georgia ranks 46th nationally in dentists per capita, with 18 counties without a single practicing dentist.

Many Georgians, especially those in rural or underserved areas, are forced to travel long distances to receive care or forgo it altogether. By enrolling and graduating more dental students and hygienists per year, DCG – Savannah will help improve the southeastern area’s dentist population.

Studies and historical data have shown that a significant majority of dentists who graduate from public dental colleges are more likely to practice in the same state or region where they trained. Based on this, it’s predicted that the more dentists who graduate in Georgia, the more dentists will stay in Georgia.

“The Dental College of Georgia has graduated about 100 dentists annually, but the need has outpaced the seats. Our state is continuing to grow, and we’re going to get ready with health care professionals,” said USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue. “That means more than just desks for students – it means cutting-edge technology, modern clinical training and research that stays right here in Georgia. I think the best victory here today is the collaboration. The project is a success because, as a state and a university system, we work to row in the same direction.”

Why Savannah?

Savannah and the coastal regions of Georgia are experiencing steady population growth, with an expected 20% to 30% increase over the next decade. This means the gap between the need for oral health care and skilled professionals in this area is also growing. Nearly 20% of DCG’s 60,000 annual patients already travel from Savannah to Augusta to receive care from students, residents and faculty, underscoring the growing need for expanded access to oral health care in coastal Georgia.

To help bridge the gap and bring opportunities closer to communities that need them most, the Savannah campus will educate an additional 50 dental students and 20 dental hygienists annually and is expected to create more than 400 jobs, contribute $70 million annually to the regional economy and generate $2.8 million in state and local revenue.

“The impact of this campus will not just be felt in southwest Georgia; it will reach communities in all four corners of our state,” said Gov. Brian P. Kemp. “That level of success takes teamwork and the help from everyone here, from the legislative partners to Augusta University and Georgia Southern, local elected officials and those who will eventually teach and work on this campus. Thank you all, and congratulations again to everyone who played a part in this milestone. Let’s keep working together to make more days like this possible.”

Augusta University has also already established itself in the area with the opening of the Medical College of Georgia – Savannah on the Georgia Southern Armstrong Campus two years ago, with the same intention of educating and keeping more physicians in the state. It’s only natural that DCG – Savannah serves as a complement to that.

Theresa Gonzales, DDM, associate dean of Extramural Clinics at the Dental College of Georgia, is leading the effort in the Coastal Empire.

Theresa Gonzales, DDM, associate dean of Extramural Clinics at the Dental College of Georgia [Michael Holahan/Augusta Univeristy]

“On behalf of Dean Nancy Young, Vice Dean Kevin Frazier, the faculty and staff of the Dental College of Georgia and, most importantly, our students past, present and future, we would like to publicly thank the leaders who envisioned the possibility, thank those elected officials who legislated the reality and thank the administrators who curated this expansion,” she said. “Finally, thank you to the city of Savannah for your gracious welcome, and we will not forget your kindness.”

Expanded educational and collaborative opportunities

Funded by $178 million in the 2024 state budget, the new facility will boast 185,000 square feet of space, providing ample classrooms, laboratory spaces, clinical exam rooms and more.

In addition, between the fiscal years 2023 and 2026, legislative investments directed more than $35 million toward expanding health care training programs and educational capacity, including initiatives that support the growth of dental education and training at DCG.

But it’s not just state funding that is making such an ambitious project a reality. SGA Dental Partners, which currently employs 54 DCG alumni and operates about 200 dental practices across the Southeast, including 35 in Georgia, recently gifted DCG – Savannah its first philanthropic investment of $2.5 million.

It’s students from small towns in Georgia – like Isabella Burgess, DCG’s 2026 Outstanding Senior – who stand to benefit from this the most.

“I grew up just up the road in Statesboro, but so many of the experiences, relationships and opportunities that shaped me were rooted right here in the Savannah community,” she said.

During her time at DCG, Burgess co-founded the Pre-Orthodontic Club, held leadership roles within Give a Smile, won the Golden Molar Award, was inducted into premier honor societies Kappa Phi and Omicron Kappa Upsilon and provided dental care to communities from Augusta all the way to Peru.

As she prepares to graduate this month and embark on the next step of her professional journey, she looks back on these experiences fondly and knows the students who come after her will have even more opportunities.

“Savannah has always felt like home, and the idea that future DCG students will soon be able to learn, grow and serve right here in this region is incredibly exciting,” Burgess said. “I know firsthand just how transformative a DCG education can be, and I cannot wait to see the impact this new campus will have on the next generation of dental professionals from Savannah, Statesboro and communities across coastal Georgia.”

The benefits of a partnership between Augusta University and Georgia Southern are tenfold. AU will be able to expand its renowned educational offerings – as it has done so already with the opening of MCG – Savannah – and GS students who are interested in pursuing a career in the dental field will be able to do so much closer to home.

“At Georgia Southern, our 31,000 students have access to more than 150 programs of study, and while we do not have medical or dental colleges of our own, we are proud to partner with Augusta University to expand opportunities in these critical fields,” said Georgia Southern President Kyle Marrero. “By combining Georgia Southern’s reach and impact with Augusta University’s medical education and research strengths, we are helping strengthen the pipeline of future physicians and dentists who will serve communities across our region and throughout Georgia.”

Augusta University President Russell T. Keen and Georgia Southern University President Kyle Marrero hold a plaque gifted to DCG – Savannah by Lt. Gov. Burt Jones. [Michael Holahan/Augusta University]

Increasing access to oral health care

Oral health is a crucial predictor for overall body health, and without regular check-ups, the risk of tooth decay and gum disease increases, which could ultimately lead to heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other serious illnesses.

With many studies consistently showing higher rates of untreated dental issues and diseases in rural areas as compared to urban areas, solving the state’s dental workforce crisis and bringing more dentists to underserved areas is important now more than ever.

“I would be remiss if I did not pause to thank one special member of the General Assembly who has been a champion for health care across our state, Chairman Butch Parrish,” said House Speaker Jon Burns. “Access to affordable health care for all our neighbors across the state, no matter what your zip code is, has been and remains a top priority for the General Assembly, and especially for the House. We know that access to care begins with a quality workforce.”

Many DCG graduates have already chosen the Hostess City of the South as their preferred place to practice.

For alumni Eric Gladden, DMD, PC, DCG’s world-class dental education allowed him to return to his hometown of Savannah to provide top-notch dental care to his community.

His DCG roots run deep because his son, William, is now a third-year student.

“The expansion, in conjunction with the opening of MCG – Savannah campus, will hopefully expand the availability of healthcare providers throughout the state. Specifically, it should have an impact on the local economy and allow our corner of Georgia to grow and prosper,” Gladden said.

Eric Gladden, DMD, PC [Photo provided by Eric Gladden]

Although not Savannah natives, DCG Class of 2022 alumni Caroline Page, DMD, and Thomas O’Neill, DMD, both practice dentistry at Chatham Dental Care in Savannah.

The married couple credits their DCG education as being “transformational,” bringing them together as a couple, providing them with a strong clinical foundation through hands-on patient care and long-lasting friendships with their classmates.

When graduation rolled around, and it came time to decide where they were going to work, Savannah stole their hearts with its historic coastal charm and strong sense of community ties, Page said.

“Savannah offers the perfect balance of tradition, growth and opportunity, making it an exciting place to build our careers. Practicing together was a natural decision because we share the same philosophy of patient care and the same commitment to creating a positive experience for every person who walks through our doors. Working as a team allows us to combine our strengths and provide patients with a wider range of expertise. Most importantly, it gives us the chance to build something meaningful together while serving a community we care deeply about.”

As providers who see firsthand just how much Savannah and the coastal region’s population is growing, Page and O’Neill are elated at the multifaceted impacts DCG – Savannah is expected to bring for their patients.

“The expansion of the Dental College of Georgia will aid the Low Country significantly. For patients, there will be increased access to care, especially for the underserved or rural communities in the surrounding area,” Page said. “DCG has a focus on digital dentistry as part of its expansion strategy, which will lead to growth in modern dentistry. It is an opportunity for dentists practicing in the area to grow and evolve.”