BU planning to brush up dental school
50 percent expansion sought
Boston University’s Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine would expand by more than 50 percent to accommodate improved clinical patient care and instructional space under plans now before the Boston Planning & Development Agency.
BU wants to renovate the 84,200-square-foot academic institution on East Newton Street in the South End and expand it by 41,900 square feet.
“By almost every measure, the current facility imposes constraints on the (school’s) educational programs and clinical actions,” BU’s project filing states.
The proposed expansion is the result of a 2009 strategic plan and seven subsequent years of planning and dialogue with alumni, faculty and administrators.
The current building accommodates more than 800 students and 400 faculty and staff, and volunteers. Some 33,000 patients receive care there each year through 147,000 visits.
“For students, a better space will improve the learning experience by providing innovative collaboration spaces to prepare them for their careers,” BU’s project filing states. “For patients, the new space will bolster the school’s efforts to offer care and an experience on par with the best dental practices.”
A new dedicated patient entrance would face Albany Street, while the existing entrance would be used for students, faculty and staff.
The building’s ground floor would be reconfigured to include a spacious patient waiting area, student lounge, collaboration space and a large classroom. Other floors would contain faculty and student labs, exam and clinic facilities, and a new simulation learning center relocated from another building.
Contemporary 100- to 120-square-foot dental treatment rooms for patient care and clinical training would replace current 80-square-foot rooms.
The building’s exterior also would be modernized.