LSU Health New Orleans, Elected Officials Celebrate Launch of Transformative School of Dentistry Renovation Project

The $100M project kicked off with ceremonial wall demolition

July 15, 2026

LSU Health New Orleans celebrated the start of a major modernization project at the LSU Health New Orleans School of Dentistry, marking a significant investment in the future of dental education, patient care, research, and innovation in Louisiana.

The renovation project will transform facilities on the School of Dentistry campus, creating enhanced learning environments for students, improved workspaces for faculty and staff, and upgraded clinical settings for patients. The celebration brought together LSU Health New Orleans and School of Dentistry leaders, members of the LSU Board of Supervisors, elected officials, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and project partners to commemorate the beginning of construction.

As Louisiana's only dental school, the LSU Health New Orleans School of Dentistry plays a vital role in educating the state's future oral healthcare workforce and providing care to communities across Louisiana.

"This dental school modernization project is an example of how LSU and the state can work in partnership to address a critical need and turn a longstanding vision into reality," said Dr. David Guzick, Senior Vice Chancellor of LSU Health New Orleans. "Through a significant investment by both the State of Louisiana and LSU Health New Orleans, we are ensuring a robust future for the School of Dentistry as Louisiana's sole institution for dental education, patient care, and innovation."

The renovation reflects a shared commitment among state leaders, university leadership, healthcare educators, and community partners to strengthen the infrastructure needed to support the next generation of dental professionals.

"The improvements underway will have a meaningful impact across our campus,” shared Dr. John Gallo, Dean of the LSU Health School of Dentistry. “Key upgrades include enhanced clinical support areas that will improve patient care, technology-rich classrooms that support modern teaching and learning, and important accessibility and infrastructure enhancements that better serve our entire community."

The project also underscores LSU's commitment to providing modern facilities that support excellence in education and healthcare delivery.

"Today is about much more than a building project. It is about investing in Louisiana's future," said Rémy Starns, member and former chair of the LSU Board of Supervisors. "This modernization effort demonstrates what can be accomplished when state leaders, university leadership, faculty, donors, and community partners work together toward a shared vision."

During the event, guests participated in a ceremonial demolition photo opportunity symbolizing the official start of construction and were offered a preview of areas currently undergoing renovation.

The School of Dentistry has served Louisiana for more than five decades, preparing oral health professionals who practice throughout the state while advancing research and providing specialized patient care. Nearly 80 percent of Louisiana’s dental professionals were trained at the LSU Health New Orleans School of Dentistry. This campus transformation project positions the school to continue its mission and legacy for generations to come.

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About LSU Health New Orleans
LSU Health New Orleans educates Louisiana's health care professionals. The state's health sciences university leader, LSU Health New Orleans includes a School of Medicine with campuses in Baton Rouge and Lafayette, the state's only School of Dentistry, Louisiana's only public School of Public Health, and Schools of Allied Health Professions, Nursing, and Graduate Studies. LSU Health New Orleans faculty take care of patients in hospitals and clinics throughout the region. In the vanguard of biosciences research, the LSU Health New Orleans research enterprise generates jobs and enormous annual economic impact. LSU Health New Orleans faculty have made lifesaving discoveries and continue to work to prevent, advance treatment and cure disease.