"It's beautiful!" said Delbert Buchelder, 74, who has been driving 90 miles round trip to the pre-doctoral clinic from Salem, Ore., for the past three months for his restorative care. "I heard other people say it was beautiful, too. I'm sold on OHSU. I'm happy with my dental care. I wouldn't go anywhere else."
Dean Jack Clinton, D.M.D. `64, appreciates such comments. "We want our reception center to represent the kind of customer service and quality care people have come to expect when they choose our school for their dental needs.
"I think the brighter lighting, warmer colors, and extra space in the reception area from having moved the patient check-in closer to the entry doors -- not to mention the overwhelmingly positive reviews from patients, dental students, staff, and faculty -- speaks for itself."
The new patient reception center remodel was designed for the transition to an electronic health record system for dental patient charts. Installation of the electronic system is slated for early 2010, said the dean.
The patient reception center was funded entirely by the Dean's Fund for Excellence, noted Clinton. "We are thankful to our school donors who earmarked gifts specifically to this discretionary fund, particularly in these tight economic times when there are no funds to spare from the school budget."
The remodel is an initiative of the school's (ACE) Advisory Committee on Excellence, which is charged with boosting service excellence throughout the dental school.
Patients can make an appointment by calling 503 494-8867.
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About OHSU
Oregon Health & Science University is the state's only health and research university, and Oregon's only academic health center. OHSU is Portland's largest employer and the fourth largest in Oregon (excluding government). OHSU's size contributes to its ability to provide many services and community support activities not found anywhere else in the state. It serves patients from every corner of the state, and is a conduit for learning for more than 3,400 students and trainees. OHSU is the source of more than 200 community outreach programs that bring health and education services to every county in the state.