Touro College of Dental Medicine Breaks Ground in Albuquerque: Healthcare and Education with Lingering Concerns on Safety and Transparency

On September 25, 2024, Touro College of Dental Medicine (TCDM) broke ground on the state’s first pre-doctoral dental clinical training facility. This milestone was celebrated with much enthusiasm by Touro and its partner Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute.

New Mexico has long struggled with a shortage of healthcare professionals, especially in rural areas. The state ranks 37th in the nation in terms of dentist-to-population ratio, with just 48 dentists per 100,000 residents. This new 70,000-square-foot dental facility, scheduled to open in May 2025, will house 200 dental students and 100 employees. Dr. Ronnie Myers, Dean of Touro’s dental program, emphasized the importance of this facility, noting that many graduates are expected to remain in New Mexico to address the critical shortage of dental professionals.

Touro’s mission also includes offering affordable dental care to local residents who might otherwise go without while providing training to future dentists. Given that oral health is often a neglected aspect of healthcare, this initiative could improve the well-being of low-income families. Several local elected officials attended the groundbreaking, expressing their excitement for the $40 million project. However, Nicole Rogers, Albuquerque District 6 City Councilor, and Tim Keller, Albuquerque Mayor, both expressed that they only recently became aware of the project, indicating that the local government was not involved in the planning stages of the new dental school.

The lack of local government involvement in the siting and planning stages of the new facility may be concerning considering the unusual decision to co-locate the dental clinic within a Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) biolab facility. These concerns add layers of complexity to what should be a celebratory moment for the state’s healthcare sector.

Touro University first established its working relationship with Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute in August 2022, when Lovelace officially became part of Touro University and New York Medical College (NYMC). The partnership was designed to enhance Touro’s research capabilities, particularly in the areas of respiratory disease, drug development, and vaccine production. Lovelace, one of the oldest biomedical research institutes in the country, brought with it experience in these areas, as well as a BSL-3 lab for handling dangerous pathogens.

Touro’s own BSL-3 lab at its New York campus plays a role in the institution’s research on infectious diseases. This biolab allows Touro to conduct high-level research on pathogens like tuberculosis, anthrax, and other serious airborne diseases.

While the arrival of Touro’s dental clinic presents an alleviation of some of New Mexico’s healthcare challenges, placing it in a BSL-3 facility adds layers of risk and concern. Lovelace Biomedical handles dangerous pathogens, including those that can be transmitted through the air. The safety protocols are stringent, but the very nature of working with infectious agents introduces risks, even in highly controlled environments

The Complexities of Locating a Public Clinic and Dental School Within a BSL-3 Facility

By placing the dental clinic on the same campus, students and patients could benefit from proximity to cutting-edge science. The clinic could have access to advanced diagnostic tools, and there could be opportunities for collaboration on new therapies.

However, BSL-3 labs are designed to handle serious pathogens that can cause potentially lethal diseases. The Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute has a storied history, and not all of it is positive. Founded in 1947, Lovelace was a pioneer in respiratory disease research, but it has also faced several ethical challenges over the years.

Since 2008, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has cited Lovelace for multiple violations of the Animal Welfare Act. These violations include the deaths of monkeys and other animals used in research, as well as instances of inadequate care and improper procedures. The most notable case involved the death of a research dog due to an untrained technician’s actions. These repeated violations have drawn criticism from animal rights organizations and raised questions about the lab’s compliance with ethical standards.

In 2018, Lovelace was implicated in the European diesel emissions scandal when it was revealed that the lab had conducted tests on monkeys using Volkswagen vehicles rigged with emissions-cheating software. Lovelace claimed it was “nearly duped” into conducting the study and was unaware that the vehicles were designed to manipulate emissions results. However, the incident sparked a public outcry and raised serious ethical concerns about the lab’s role in the scandal.

Trust is vital when it comes to public health and the new partnership between Lovelace and Touro Dental College. There must be a clear separation between clinical areas and research labs to prevent any cross-contamination. Additionally, transparency regarding research practices is essential to maintaining ethical standards, especially in ensuring patients give fully informed consent for any experimental treatments.

Moving Forward: Transparency and Safety Are Key

As we move forward with the development of Touro’s dental clinic, the public deserves clear and transparent communication about how the facility will operate and how safety risks will be mitigated. This project has the potential to greatly improve healthcare in New Mexico, but the risks associated with co-locating a community clinic in a BSL-3 facility cannot be ignored.

If managed responsibly, this collaboration could become a model for integrating research and clinical care. However, it will require vigilance from both Touro and Lovelace to ensure the highest standards of safety and ethics. The people of Albuquerque deserve full transparency regarding the nature of the healthcare they will receive.

In conclusion, while the groundbreaking of Touro College of Dental Medicine offers hope for addressing New Mexico’s dental care shortages, the lack of transparency during its planning and the unique risks posed by its location in a BSL-3 facility make it clear that this project will need ongoing scrutiny. Only with open communication and strict safety protocols can we ensure that this venture truly benefits the community it aims to serve.