The Harvard School of Dental Medicine has announced the permanent closure of its Cambridge clinic, located at 114 Mount Auburn St.. The decision follows an electrical fire that significantly damaged the facility and ongoing financial challenges faced by the institution. The clinic had been shut down since April and will not reopen.
In a statement to Boston.com, the school explained that the combination of the fire’s impact and current financial difficulties has made it “no longer sustainable” to operate the clinic. This closure means that patients in Cambridge will need to seek dental care at the school’s other location at 188 Longwood Ave. in Boston.
Heather Denny, the senior director of communications for the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, confirmed that there are no plans to reopen the clinic in Cambridge. “At this time, we are focusing on our clinical practice in Longwood to ensure we meet capacity and continue to maintain our educational, research, and patient service mission,” she stated.
Patients seeking dental services will now access care through the Teaching Practices at Longwood, where dental students and residents provide treatment under the guidance of Harvard faculty. This alternative offers “high-quality” care at reduced costs, although patients may experience longer wait times and the need for multiple visits to complete their treatment.
The closure of the Cambridge clinic marks a significant shift in how the Harvard School of Dental Medicine delivers care to the community. The school continues to prioritize its mission of education and patient service while navigating the challenges presented by the recent fire and financial constraints.
As the school transitions to its Boston location, it remains committed to providing essential dental services, albeit with adjustments to how and where care is delivered.
