A retired orthodontist has made a significant financial contribution to the West Virginia University (WVU) School of Dentistry, aiming to improve postgraduate orthodontics education for future generations. Dr. Tom Arkle, who graduated from WVU in 1978, provided $1.4 million to establish the Dr. Thomas Arkle III Chair of Orthodontics, the first named chair in the school’s history. This gift completes Arkle’s $2 million pledge, which will help enhance leadership and resources for the residency program.
Leadership at WVU expressed deep gratitude for Arkle’s ongoing support, which has been consistent over the years. Dr. Peter Ngan, following decades of service, will serve as the first chair under the newly established position. Arkle noted the national challenges in recruiting qualified professionals for dental education, citing the wide pay gap between academic leadership roles and private practice. His donation is designed to address these issues by making education positions more attractive and equipping the department with funding for leadership, new equipment, and access to professional meetings.
Meanwhile, Aspen Dental has launched a new annual tradition called Match Week, intended to celebrate dental school graduates as they join Aspen Dental’s nationwide network. The event, held from February 9-13, highlights the stories and motivations of new dentists starting their careers. The initiative demonstrates Aspen Dental’s commitment to supporting graduates with mentorship, hands-on learning, and ongoing educational opportunities through facilities like the Oral Care Center for Excellence and The Aspen Group University.
Aspen Dental’s Chief Clinical Officer, Dr. Arwinder Judge, emphasized that supporting new dentists involves preparing them for both immediate and long-term challenges in their field. Recent graduates, such as Amie Nguyen from the University of Texas and Maria Leal from the University of Pennsylvania, expressed their desire to make a positive impact by serving their communities and helping families prioritize oral health. Aspen Dental will also award scholarships to three dental students at the annual Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting as part of its investment in the next generation of dental professionals.
With these developments, dental education programs across the United States are seeing increased backing from both philanthropic donors and corporate initiatives. The efforts aim to reduce barriers to dental education and practice, incentivize leadership roles in academic dentistry, and facilitate the growth of new dentists ready to address oral health needs in their communities.
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