NEOMED’s Bitonte College of Dentistry Breaks Ground on Clinical Spaces

ROOTSTOWN, Ohio – The Bitonte College of Dentistry at Northeast Ohio Medical University held a ceremonial groundbreaking Thursday for the college’s new clinical spaces. 

Construction is underway on a state-of-the-art simulation training lab and a community dental clinic.

NEOMED administrators and trustees were joined by Dr. David Bitonte and Dr. Gary Bitonte for the groundbreaking. The brothers are directors of the Dr. Dominic A. and Helen M. Bitonte Family Foundation, which provided a $10 million commitment for the development of the college.

“It is important to note that today’s celebration is being held in the Bitonte Family Atrium,” said Dr. John T. Langell, NEOMED president. “Gary and David continue the legacy of support that began with their parents.”

Dr. Frank Beck, inaugural dean of NEOMED’s Bitonte College of Dentistry, noted the importance of dental education and workforce development. 

“The need is well documented,” he said. “The No. 1 unmet health care need of the citizens of the state of Ohio is dental.”

The Bitonte College of Dentistry, which received initial accreditation by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, will welcome its first cohort of students in fall 2025.

Pictured at top: From left are Dr. E. Douglas Beach, immediate past chair of the NEOMED Board of Trustees; Darrell L. McNair, chairman of the NEOMED Board of Trustees; Dr. David Bitonte; Dr. John Langell, NEOMED president; Dr. Gary Bitonte; Dr. C. Forrest Faison, NEOMED provost and senior vice president; and Dr. Frank Beck, inaugural dean of the Bitonte College of Dentistry.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.