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By: Amy Charles | August 29, 2025
The University of Pikeville (UPIKE) has received formal notice from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development that its application for a Community Facilities Direct Loan has been approved for the amount of $53,210,000. This key funding will support the construction and equipment costs of the Tanner College of Dental Medicine (TCDM), a new facility aimed at advancing dental education and improving oral healthcare access in rural Appalachia.
Construction on the TCDM building is expected to begin in the coming months, with plans to welcome its inaugural class in June 2026. While the USDA loan and other financial commitments provide a solid foundation, additional funding is still needed to fully realize the vision for the Tanner College of Dental Medicine. UPIKE continues to accept donations in support of TCDM, and philanthropic contributions will play a critical role in expanding educational opportunities and improving oral healthcare access across the region.
“This is a significant step forward in realizing our vision for the Tanner College of Dental Medicine,” said Barry Bentley, MBA, UPIKE’s executive vice president and chief financial officer. “We are grateful to USDA Rural Development and Magnolia Bank for their commitment to improving rural healthcare access and UPIKE’s mission. This funding ensures the financial sustainability of the dental college and will allow us to serve both students and patients.”
In recognition of the USDA’s support and the importance of this milestone, a reception was held on UPIKE’s campus on Friday, August 29. The Kentucky State Director for USDA Rural Development, Travis T. Burton, spoke at the event, celebrating their partnership to help make the dental college a reality.
“It’s a great day when we get to celebrate steps to improving the health of rural Kentuckians!” said Burton. “It’s our hope that through projects like this, we can see the needle move on oral health, which is tied to so many long-term health outcomes. I applaud UPIKE and their dedication to education and dental healthcare access in the region.”
TCDM will address long-standing disparities in dental care across Eastern Kentucky and the surrounding region by training the next generation of dental professionals with a focus on rural and underserved populations.
“With this funding secured, we can move forward with our mission to offer affordable, high-quality dental education in Eastern Kentucky,” said Jill Keaton, DMD, MS, DABOP, FAAOP, dean of the Tanner College of Dental Medicine. “Our new facility will not only provide cutting-edge education and training but also expand access to oral healthcare throughout the region.”
To learn more or contribute, please visit upike.edu/give.