Touro University is constructing New Mexico's first dental school, addressing the state’s urgent need for oral health care and expanding educational opportunities for underserved communities. The $40 million investment includes a 70,000 sq. ft. clinical training facility, set to open in May 2025, aimed at alleviating the state's shortage of dental professionals. Touro University, a nonprofit based in New York, broke ground on September 26, 2024, for the new branch of Touro College of Dental Medicine (TCDM) in Albuquerque, marking the first dental school in the state.

The groundbreaking took place on the campus of Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute (LBRI), a member of Touro University. Touro Dental Health New Mexico, the clinical training facility, will support 200 TCDM students by offering a new dental practice with a planned opening in 2025. Due to limited space, students will start their programs at Touro's New York campus before finishing in New Mexico.

“Touro University is committed to delivering quality education as well as integrity, inclusivity and respect for all members of our new Touro community in New Mexico,” said Touro University President Alan Kadish. “We provide diverse, innovative and engaging course offerings that nurture personal growth and intellectual inquiry in superior academic programs.”

New Mexico’s first pre-doctoral dental school clinical training facility will span over 70,000 sq. ft. of educational and clinical space, housing more than 100 dental units, including those for oral surgery, orthodontics, endodontics, and pediatric dentistry. The facility will support students completing their education at the new campus.

Touro University has invested approximately $40 million in New Mexico, covering the acquisition of property and the construction of the dental college. The new school aims to create high-paying jobs in the state to support the college and clinic.

“We welcome Touro College of Dental Medicine to the New Mexico dental community,” said Tom Schripsema, executive director of the New Mexico Dental Association. “We are hopeful they will bring needed care to this neighborhood and look forward to exploring collaboration on our ongoing efforts to educate local students.”

“By establishing the first pre-doctoral dental student clinical educational facility in New Mexico, we will provide much-needed low-cost oral health care to underserved communities while also expanding local access to New Mexico students interested in becoming dentists,” said TCDM Dean Ronnie Myers.

New Mexico currently lags behind the national average in the number of oral health care professionals. Studies indicate that the number of dentists per 100,000 residents in New Mexico is only 48.4, compared to the national average of 60.84.