Dental College of Georgia name takes effect Dec. 1

AUGUSTA, Ga. – The College of Dental Medicine will become the Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University, said President Brooks A. Keel during a noon event at the college today.

After hearing from students, faculty, staff and alumni about the importance of including “Georgia” in the name of the state’s only dental college, Keel sent a letter to University System of Georgia Chancellor Hank Huckaby earlier this week requesting the change.

In the letter, Keel says the name “was proposed not only because it is an accurate reflection of the college’s singular status as the state’s dental school, but also aligns with the names of two of the university’s other units – the Medical College of Georgia and Children’s Hospital of Georgia.”

“We believe a similar naming convention will allow us to leverage all three assets for the greatest benefit to our state,” he wrote.

The discussion to change the name started after dental medicine Dean Carol Lefebvre was approached by students, faculty, staff and alumni requesting the change.

The name change will take effect Dec.1 – the same date as the university’s legal name change from Georgia Regents to Augusta University. The college’s new word mark and logo will be developed as part of the overall branding of Augusta University.

As Georgia’s only dental school, the College of Dental Medicine provides education and training to more than 300 dental students and 60 residents each year.