Written by PRIDE Newsdesk July 31, 2025
Meharry Medical College leaders and faculty join students for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new CRET Innovation Suite on July 25, celebrating the launch of a state-of-the-art dental training center designed to prepare students for modern clinical practice.
On July 25, Meharry Medical College’s School of Dentistry celebrated the grand opening of its new Center for Research and Education Technology (CRET) Innovation Suite with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, guided tours, and a luncheon on campus. The new suite is designed to provide students with access to cutting-edge dental technology and further prepare them for the demands of modern-day clinical practice.
The CRET Innovation Suite, located inside the School of Dentistry’s main building, was made possible in part through the 2023 CRET Innovation Center Award. Meharry was the sixth school in the nation to receive this recognition, which includes contributions of equipment, technology, design services, and training—valued at more than $1 million at little or no cost to the institution.
“The innovation suite allows our school to expand and amplify our students’ educational experience by incorporating new technology, equipment, and practices into the current curriculum,” said Dr. Cherae Farmer-Dixon, dean and professor at Meharry’s School of Dentistry. “The more our students learn, the better care they will provide to our nation’s dental patients, including those in minority and underserved communities.”
The new center features five fully equipped operatories that replicate real-world dental office settings. Each operatory includes different technology and equipment, selected by Meharry faculty, such as intra-oral digital scanners, computerized crowns and bridges, laser tools, salivary diagnostics, oral care probiotics, and other advanced restorative materials. Dental students will work in team-based environments alongside dental hygienists and assistants, gaining hands-on experience in contemporary care delivery.
“The CRET Innovation Suite furthers Meharry’s mission by giving our students access to advanced procedures and familiarizing them with the technologies they’ll encounter in private practice,” said Dr. Julie Gray, associate dean of external affairs at the School of Dentistry.
As part of the CRET collaboration, industry partners will also provide training and instruction to ensure that students and faculty are fully equipped to utilize the suite’s resources. Each operatory includes tools from different manufacturers, allowing students to develop a broad understanding of products used in diverse practice settings.
“This center represents a major step forward in dental education,” said Debora Bridges, CEO/chair of the CRET executive committee. “The CRET Innovation Center will elevate each student’s experience by simulating a real dental practice. They’ll learn how to work efficiently as part of a team, develop clinical confidence, and become familiar with multiple technologies and workflows.”
Meharry has long played a pivotal role in training dentists who go on to serve in underserved areas. Approximately 27% of the nation’s Black dentists are Meharry graduates. These dental professionals often work in low-income communities where access to oral health care is limited and oral diseases remain prevalent.
“Oral health is critical to overall health, and the disparities that persist today are unacceptable,” said Meharry President/CEO Dr. James E.K. Hildreth. “This new center allows us to better train our students to serve communities that are often overlooked and under-resourced. By equipping them with the tools of modern dentistry, we ensure they are ready to meet the needs of all patients.”
The ribbon-cutting ceremony, held at 10:30 am on July 25, was followed by guided tours of the innovation suite and a luncheon with faculty, students, and guests. Leaders from across Meharry and the dental education community were on hand to commemorate the occasion and highlight the suite’s impact on dental training and public health.
