Dental leaders break ground on new clinic Published June 28, 2010 By Sue Campbell 59th Medical Wing Public Affairs LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- A groundbreaking ceremony took place June 24 beginning to begin construction of a 32,680-square foot facility to replace MacKown Dental Clinic, home of Air Force dental residency training. "The new clinic will be almost double the size of the current facility, which was built in 1952," said Col. Jay Graver, 59th Dental Support Squadron commander. "It will be a modern, up-to-date facility, which is crucial for our training programs and to provide the highest quality graduates to ensure outstanding dental care and dental readiness for our beneficiaries." The ceremony included comments from guest speaker Maj. Gen. (Dr.) Gar S. Graham, commander, 79th Medical Wing, Andrews Air Force Base, Md. General Graham also serves as the Air Force Assistant Surgeon General for Dental Services. All departments currently housed at MacKown Dental Clinic will move into the new building, which will be located across from the Child Development Center, on the grounds of the old optometry clinic. The new MacKown Dental Clinic is scheduled to open in March 2012. "The general dental clinic and training programs for prosthodontics, periodontics, maxillofacial prosthetics, and endodontics will all move from the existing MacKown Clinic," said Col. Thomas Schneid, 59th Dental Training Squadron commander. "The orthodontics residency program will move from Dunn Dental Clinic and our treatment rooms will grow from 50 to 69." The dental laboratory, including the stereolithography department, will also relocate into the new facility from the current MacKown Dental Clinic. "The current building is limiting as it doesn't allow us to incorporate new equipment and instrumentation," said Colonel Graver. "We are very excited about the new clinic which will ensure our dental residency programs and the care we provide are maintained at the level our students and patients deserve and have come to expect."