$1 million grant from the Konikoff family funds development of innovative spaces for advanced digital learning.

(Courtesy of Touro College) Thanks to a million-dollar gift from philanthropist and dentist Dr. David Konikoff and his family, the Touro College of Dental Medicine (TCDM) has officially opened the doors to its highly anticipated Konikoff Digital Dental Studio located within Touro Dental Health, the clinical training facility at 19 Skyline Drive in Hawthorne, New York. Through this transformational gift, the Konikoffs will further strengthen the school’s progressive education in digital dental technologies and enable faculty at Touro Dental Health to perform “same-day dentistry,” which reduces multiple patient visits into a single visit—not commonly practiced in a dental school environment.

The generous contribution from the Konikoffs will also fund construction of the Konikoff Education and Broadcast Center, planned for the fourth floor of TCDM’s Skyline Drive Complex. This 3,500-square-foot space will be designed to accommodate teaching methodologies geared for today’s changing educational landscape, focusing on small group learning, distance education and teaching, along with the ability to professionally broadcast.

The Konikoff family hails from Virginia Beach, where they support many charitable organizations and communal institutions. Dr. Konikoff and his family believe that working to make the world a better place is a key component of self-growth, and that positively impacting the lives of others matches the mission of the TCDM. “What Hashem gives us is not ours, so we must choose to give it back in purposeful and meaningful ways to make the world a better place,” said Konikoff.

With the aid of his invaluable gift, TCDM will honor Konikoff’s life’s work and the memory of his late wife, Sofia, z”l, by providing dental education at the highest possible level, so that students, in turn, can give back and support their communities with integrity, professionalism and compassion.

“Through the immense generosity of the Konikoffs, we have taken an incredible step forward to deliver dental education in the most advanced setting,” said Ronnie Myers, D.D.S., dean at TCDM. “Since our founding, we have been committed to providing our students with the technology, education and hands-on training essential to the delivery of exceptional patient care. The addition of the Konikoff Digital Dentistry Studio, and eventually the Konikoff Education and Broadcast Center, will allow us to continue that mission for years to come.”

Housing multiple 3D printers and a number of other advanced digital systems, the Konikoff Digital Dental Studio will be used as both an on-site laboratory and a space for small group classes, allowing dental students to gain hands-on experience with the technology and manufacturing processes that will prepare them for the future of dentistry. The space will also allow lab technicians at Touro Dental Health to rapidly cut and shape dental crowns, bridges and implants on-site.

“I am incredibly grateful for the Konikoff Family gift, their friendship and their steadfast support, which will allow our students to become outstanding practitioners,” said Edward F. Farkas, D.D.S., M.A., TCDM vice dean. “Having partners who share our vision for improving the world by improving healthcare delivery and dental education in the 21st century allows us to continue to provide our students with an unparalleled educational experience.”

“The Konikoff Digital Dental Studio is already proving to be a life-changing resource for patients of Touro Dental Health, providing us with the tools needed to craft implants and solutions in record time while still providing the highest standard of care possible,” said Barbara Jurim, D.D.S., director of Touro Dental Health’s Complex Care Clinic.

Building upon the success of the Konikoff Digital Dentistry Studio, plans are already being made for the future Konikoff Education and Broadcast Center, with construction anticipated to begin as early as spring 2021.

Touro College of Dental Medicine is dedicated to graduating outstanding dental professionals who will utilize a complex knowledge base and sophisticated perceptual skills to deliver excellent health care service to their diverse communities with integrity, compassion, and empathy. The school conducts important educational and clinical research, while providing excellent dental health services to the public.

Touro College of Dental Medicine is the only dental college in the United States that offers glatt kosher food exclusively, daily minyan, shiurim and a supportive Jewish campus community along with class schedules that are in sync with the Jewish calendar. For more information visit www.dental.touro.edu.