Indiana University School of Dentistry, Fort Wayne has received a $174,000 grant from the Don Wood Foundation to enhance the School’s Dental Technology program. The grant will fund the purchase of advanced computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) software and supporting equipment, helping prepare students for careers in the rapidly evolving field of dental technology.
Grant-funded equipment includes CAD 3shape software for designing implant and orthodontic appliances, CAM manufacturing equipment for producing models, crowns, dentures, orthodontic appliances and more. This CAM equipment includes a Roland Dental Mill and a highly accurate 3D printer used to create accurate, detailed dental restorations.
The IU Fort Wayne Dental Technology program is part of Indiana University School of Dentistry and one of only 11 accredited dental technology programs in the country.
“CAD/CAM technology has become essential to the design and fabrication of modern dental appliances,” said Colleen Painter, director of the Dental Technology program at IU Fort Wayne. “This generous grant from the Don Wood Foundation will help our students gain valuable experience with these essential technologies. By integrating these advanced manufacturing techniques into our curriculum, we are ensuring that our graduates are ready to meet the increasing demand for highly skilled dental technicians.”
The Don Wood Foundation aligns opportunities among students, the community, and industry by growing and strengthening an agile, adaptable workforce in the advanced manufacturing sector in northeast Indiana. Supporting the dental technology program at IU Fort Wayne aligns with the Foundation’s mission to grow and advance manufacturing education and technical skills development in the region.
“Next-generation manufacturing impacts nearly every part of our lives, including healthcare,” said Laura Macknick, president and CEO of the Don Wood Foundation. “This investment supports students while also building northeast Indiana’s capacity to develop future-ready workers prepared to identify and solve problems yet to be discovered.”
For more information on IU Fort Wayne’s Dental Technology program, visit https://fortwayne.iu.edu/dental-education/technology/index.html.
