The Faculty of Dentistry’s Rossy Clinic will improve oral health for thousands of patients

Mar 17, 2025

A rendering of a modern dental clinic — *The Rossy Clinic will focus on patient comfort, improved treatment and experiential learning*.

The evidence is clear – dental care is health care. U of T’s Faculty of Dentistry has long understood that widening access to excellent, affordable dental care can improve economic mobility, help prevent a range of issues related to poor oral health and alleviate chronic pain. That’s why the faculty is proud to house Canada’s largest and most diverse network of dental teaching clinics and treatment centres.

Now, a transformational gift from The Rossy Foundation to U of T Dentistry, matched with funding from the University of Toronto, will help thousands of patients – including low-income and recent immigrants – gain access to excellent, affordable dental care at The Rossy Clinic, a redesigned facility in the downtown core.

Filling a gap in community dental care

“The University of Toronto is very grateful to The Rossy Foundation for their gift to The Rossy Clinic, which will support our efforts to serve people and communities in the city around us,” says U of T President Meric Gertler. “We are proud to help give much-needed care to many thousands of patients a year at this cutting-edge facility, while providing an outstanding education to tomorrow’s dentistry professionals.”

A $38-million renovation of an existing clinic on 124 Edward Street will create the new Rossy Clinic, with 60 partially open operatories and 15 enclosed operatories equipped with the latest in care technology, focusing on patient comfort, improved treatment and experiential learning. The planned renovations also include a complete overhaul of the patient reception areas, including the addition of an elevator to improve accessibility. This exciting project is seeking support from other committed donors and alumni to see it to completion.

“We are pleased to support this important initiative at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Dentistry,” says Sara Pedersen, chief program officer of The Rossy Foundation. “The Rossy Clinic will not only increase access to excellent dental care but also improve overall health and quality of life for the thousands of patients who depend on the clinic for care, while supporting the education of the next generation of dentists.”

A portrait of a man with grey hair and a beard

The existing clinic’s operations closed for the COVID-19 pandemic and then moved into a satellite clinic at 777 Bay Street, allowing important staging space for other renovations at the faculty including the pre-clinical simulation lab. The Bay Street satellite clinic will continue to function until The Rossy Clinic is ready for occupancy in early 2029.

Elevating the educational experience

“The Rossy Clinic will include specialty clinics, more operatories with X-ray capabilities and dedicated accessible operatories,” says Laura Tam, Interim Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry. “We want to thank The Rossy Foundation for their generous gift, which will create an environment where students can develop their skills as excellent oral health professionals. The integration of modern facilities will elevate their educational experience and better prepare them for their careers.”

As Canada’s first, largest, top-ranked and most comprehensive dental school, the Faculty of Dentistry has always been a leader in research, teaching and clinical care. U of T Dentistry not only offers training in all 10 dental specialties but is a national leader in providing excellent and affordable community dental care, with 14 teaching clinics across the GTA – which will include the state-of-the-art Rossy Clinic.

We are proud to help give much-needed care to many thousands of patients a year at this cutting-edge facility, while providing an outstanding education to tomorrow’s dentistry professionals.

“The Rossy Foundation’s generous support for The Rossy Clinic builds on their transformative giving across the university,” says Vice-President, Advancement, David Palmer. “By helping to provide our graduates with an unparalleled education while, at the same time, offering excellent care to people in Toronto’s downtown core, The Rossy Clinic reflects the catalytic impact of philanthropy across U of T. It’s little wonder this project has drawn enthusiasm from friends and alumni of the faculty, many of whom have already stepped forward to support it by naming operatories, joining with The Rossy Foundation in creating a lasting legacy.”

We are proud to help give much-needed care to many thousands of patients a year at this cutting-edge facility, while providing an outstanding education to tomorrow’s dentistry professionals.

The Rossy Foundation’s gift contributes to the University of Toronto’s Defy Gravity campaign, which is helping to empower tomorrow’s leading dental professionals to build successful careers, as well as enabling them to address complex health challenges and improve the lives of patients from all walks of life.

By extending compassionate, accessible and affordable care to thousands each year, The Rossy Clinic will prepare the next generation of oral health experts with a well-rounded, world-class education, on their way to becoming respected leaders in their field.

Investing in this clinic by naming an operatory myself and another with my classmates is investing in the future of dental care. It’s a privilege to be part of this transformation and our community.
— Bruno Vendittelli 9T4, 9T9 Dip Ortho, Faculty of Dentistry Campaign Cabinet Member

Having a modern, comfortable space to learn and practice in will make a huge difference for student training. It’s inspiring to know that future students will be learning and working in an environment that reflects the high standards of care we aspire to provide and that U of T is known for. It’s so wonderful that the alumni and the school are supporting this.
— Emma Wilson, President of U of T Dental Student Society

I am so grateful for all the work that has been done on my teeth. It is one of the ways that has made my life happier and a new clinic to support patients and student learning, I can’t think of anything better.
— David King, Faculty of Dentistry patient