Transformation

The PEW Report states clearly and explicitly that the Sunshine State does a miserable job in providing dental services to our children. Yes, our great state is almost at the bottom when it comes to providing quality dental services and dental hygiene for our children.

Let‘s see;

We are at the bottom when it comes to educating our children.

We are at the bottom when it comes to providing mental health services to our people.

We are at the bottom when it comes to providing elderly services to our seniors.

We are at the bottom when it comes to funding education at all levels, Pre-K-12 through higher education.

We must fight for a better Florida. We do not want to put down our fellow states; but can’t we do better than Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and other states when it comes to providing quality services for our people?

We must rally behind FAMU’s President, its Board of Trustees, and other stakeholders to encourage the Board of Governors and the Legislature to appropriate the more than $1.5 million to do the feasibility study for the School of Dentistry.

President Ammons and his Leadership Team have already identified the great need for FAMU to provide a School of Dentistry to serve a well deserved population of people who do not receive adequate dental care. Listen, FAMU has the reputation, respect and track record of reaching the underserved and the disadvantaged with powerful educational opportunities. Florida A&M has done this kind of job for over one hundred years.

The College of Pharmacy, the College of Engineering, the School of Nursing, the College of Allied Health, the College of Law, and other programs have achieved great recognition for developing students of academic excellence and prominence. FAMU being the only public Historically Black College and University in this state, is a worthy institution. FAMU must continue to be on the cutting edge of change and transformation.

The School of Dentistry, if funded properly and expeditiously, will meet a dire and desperate need in our state: the training of the next generation of dentists. Our Editorial Board will send letters to the governor, the speaker of the House, the President of the Senate, the Black Caucus, the chancellor and other key persons to demonstrate our strong and unwavering support for the establishment of a School of Dentistry at FAMU.

Can we count on your support? Be encouraged.