A proposal for a potential dental school in Southern Virginia has been officially tabled by the General Assembly, leaving many in the region questioning what other avenues could bring economic growth and educational opportunities to the area.
On Monday, the House Education subcommittee voted 6-4 to "lay on the table" House Bill 2778, introduced by Del. Eric Phillips, R-Henry County. This decision effectively ended the proposal to study the feasibility of expanding Virginia Commonwealth University’s (VCU) dental school into Martinsville or another part of Southern Virginia.
A similar fate awaited the Senate version of the bill, SB 1478, which was also dismissed by the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday.
Del. Phillips and Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin County, both advocated for the study, suggesting that a dental program in Southern Virginia could help address the region’s shortage of dental professionals. Stanley, in particular, highlighted the New College Institute (NCI) in Martinsville as a prime location for such a program, citing its underutilized Baldwin Building as a potential space for expansion.
While Stanley acknowledged the potential cost of constructing a new dental school building in Richmond estimated at $400 million he pointed out that the Baldwin Building is already paid for and could serve as a cost-effective alternative.
However, the proposal was met with resistance from members of the General Assembly, particularly those representing Richmond. Concerns arose that such a study could pave the way for part of VCU’s dental school to be relocated out of the capital, a move that many lawmakers found unacceptable.
In a bid to garner support, Stanley shared a personal experience, recounting a visit to VCU’s dental school after breaking a tooth. While he praised the quality of care he received, he criticized the building itself, which he argued was in need of replacement. Despite this personal appeal, the legislative committees ultimately decided not to move forward with the proposal.
The defeat of the bill underscores a larger issue at play in Martinsville and Henry County how to revitalize the local economy and address ongoing challenges. The New College Institute, established in 2006 with hopes of becoming a four-year college, has struggled to define its purpose. While the institute has developed some innovative programs, such as wind energy technician training, the governor’s office has expressed skepticism about NCI’s future. Governor Glenn Youngkin’s current budget proposal includes plans to cut funding for NCI, which has only deepened concerns in the region.
For Phillips and Stanley, the dental school proposal seemed like a promising way to reinvigorate the area and attract more opportunities to Martinsville.
But the reality is that Southern Virginia has long faced economic challenges that require more than just a new educational program. In the face of a shrinking pool of college-bound students due in part to a decline in birth rates Martinsville may need to explore other avenues for growth.
While the dental school idea has been rejected, the need for economic development in the region remains pressing.
With many localities in Virginia, particularly rural areas, facing a shortage of dentists, Phillips and Stanley argued that a Southern Virginia dental program could help address this gap.
However, they may now need to consider alternative strategies, such as residency programs or other educational initiatives, to attract and retain healthcare professionals in the region.
Stanley’s point about the Baldwin Building remains central to the discussion: "We have a building here that we paid for." If the state were to close the NCI or allow it to fall into disuse, it could send a negative message about the state’s commitment to investing in its own communities. For many in Martinsville and Henry County, this represents more than just a debate about higher education—it’s about the future of the region itself.
As the General Assembly looks toward the next session, legislators in Southern Virginia will need to continue advocating for initiatives that can create long-term economic opportunities.
Whether through a focus on technology, healthcare, or other sectors, the region needs a plan to ensure that its communities don’t fall further behind.
Ultimately, the failure of the dental school proposal raises an important question: If a dental program isn’t the solution, what is? The region may need to look beyond the specific needs of a single industry and consider how to build a diversified, sustainable economy that can thrive in the face of demographic and economic challenges.
The Baldwin Building may not become a dental school, but it could still play a key role in the region’s future if a new, innovative program can find its home there.
As the search for answers continues, one thing remains clear: Southern Virginia needs more than just studies—it needs action.