As the only dental school in the Commonwealth, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is a vital resource for oral health education and care. The 312,000-square-foot facility will advance dental education and clinical practice, supporting VCU’s mission to improve access to care and serve the many communities across Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic. The new building will accommodate more than 100,000 patient visits annually, underscoring the faculty’s clinical expertise, expanding clinical capacity and reinforcing the university’s role as the largest provider of dental care to Medicaid recipients in Virginia.

The design establishes a dynamic connection between clinical education, specialized patient care, and educational laboratories in a landmark setting. Organized to encourage collaboration, the facility will offer flexible spaces that support interaction and create new synergies among a diverse user population, breaking down traditional departmental boundaries. The building will more seamlessly connect dentistry with VCU Health and the other VCU Health Sciences schools, inspiring new and unique partnerships that improve health care and inspire new research.

Construction is scheduled to begin in May 2027, with completion anticipated in late 2029. The project represents a substantial investment in VCU’s continued leadership in education, research, and community health.

Kahler Slater is partnered with Hanbury to collaboratively design and deliver the new School of Dentistry.