Argall, Barton, Meuser Celebrate Grand Opening of Temple University Dental Clinic in Tamaqua

TAMAQUA - Sen. Dave Argall (R-29), Rep. Jamie Barton (R-124) and the Office of Congressman Dan Meuser (PA-09) today joined with Temple University, state and local officials and community partners to celebrate the grand opening of Temple's Dental Education Center and Clinic in downtown Tamaqua, a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to improve access to dental care and address the shortage of dental professionals in rural communities.

The project represents a $31 million investment from Temple University, state and federal government, the Tamaqua CRIZ Authority and the Morgan Foundation. This total includes $14 million in federal Rural Transformation funding, announced today, which will help ensure the clinic's long-term success and support the expansion of this innovative model to other rural communities.

"When we first announced this idea, some of my critics on Facebook thought I had to be hallucinating," Argall said. "Today, we are celebrating a remarkable facility that is already changing lives. This is what happens when people come together and work collaboratively. This is one of the largest investments in Tamaqua's history, and it is well worth every penny."

"Rural healthcare, including dental care, is a major concern in the Commonwealth," Barton said. "The only way to address it is to innovate, and that's just what Temple's dental clinic in Tamaqua is doing. I couldn't be more proud to play a part in this hugely collaborative project that I truly believe could change healthcare education across the country, and it all starts right here in Tamaqua!"

"This clinic will fill a critical gap in rural dental care and train future dental professionals here in Schuylkill County," Meuser said. "I am proud to have secured $2 million in federal funding and thank Senator Argall, Representative Barton, Temple University, and our community partners for demonstrating what federal, state, and local collaboration can accomplish for our communities."

Argall and Barton recognized the efforts of Micah Gursky and the Tamaqua Area Community Partnership, Temple University and Dr. Amid Ismail, dean of the Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry, the Morgan Foundation, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Tamaqua Borough and its CRIZ Authority, and many other partners.

The legislators emphasized that the clinic represents much more than a major economic investment.

"Dental care can literally be a matter of life and death," they said. "This clinic will help ensure more families have access to the care they need while training future dental professionals right here in our region."

The clinic also offers a promising solution to rural dental shortages. Research suggests students who receive their education and clinical experience in smaller communities are more likely to establish practices in similar communities. Argall noted that one of the first students he met at the facility already expressed an interest in practicing in Tamaqua after graduation.

"Congratulations to all who worked together to make this possible," said the legislators. "This clinic is already making a difference by providing critical dental care to patients from across our region, and we look forward to working with Temple to grow its impact."

ARGALL CONTACT: Seth Hubler
BARTON CONTACT: Jake Gillespie
MEUSER CONTACT: Evelyn Datte