Pitt’s School of Dental Medicine expands clinical expertise and workforce opportunities in Titusville and Bradford

The University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine on Tuesday celebrated the opening of its Regional Training Center (RTC) at Titusville in partnership with Titusville Area Hospital - the latest move in a multi-site effort by Pitt to address Pennsylvania's critical shortage of dental professionals.

"Rural communities are feeling the shortage of dentists most acutely, and when people can't get routine oral health care close to home, small problems go untreated and often end up in the emergency room," said Marnie Oakley, dean of Pitt's School of Dental Medicine, at the event. "The lack of enough dentists in rural areas is also an economic issue as it makes it difficult to attract businesses and top talent to an area."

The Titusville RTC will provide additional clinical spaces, advanced equipment and increased clinical training opportunities that will allow for more area patients to be seen and more complex procedures to be performed.

Pitt's Dental Medicine's RTCs directly address access and workforce investment gaps : The centers annually host three licensed general practice residents who see patients from the community. The RTCs also recruit dental hygiene and dental assistant students from the community who take courses virtually, instead of moving to Pittsburgh, and then complete their clinical rotations at the RTC.

"I am gaining significant experience that will support me in my career while making a real difference, which is an incredibly positive feeling," said Christiana Mather, a general practice resident with the Titusville RTC and a recent graduate of the Pitt School of Dental Medicine.

RTC sites in Titusville and Bradford both soft opened to patients in July 2026, in partnership with Pitt's regional campuses in each city.