ECU to open dental clinics in Ahoskie, EC and Sylva

East Carolina's somewhat controversial dental school is slated to open in 2011. Until then, the university will place dental clinics in three locations in the state in order to increase access to dental care in North Carolina.

The three locations will be in Elizabeth City, Ahoskie and Sylva, according to reports.

North Carolina's ratio of dentists to the population is below the national average. Four counties don't have dentists at all, and dentists in five more counties are close to retirement.

Quick hits: Bele Chere and ECU's dental share

Asheville prepares for its biggest party
"Bele Chere, Asheville’s big downtown street party happening this weekend, has always been a game of numbers," writes the Asheville Citizen-Times.

"For Asheville’s festival coordinator Melissa Porter, the number might be 375,000. That’s the estimated number of Bele Chere visits expected over the weekend, starting at lunchtime today, and running through Sunday night.

"Or the number could be four — the average hours of sleep she’ll get each night this weekend. But she’s ready for it. 'This is my 10th Bele Chere and my third as director,' she said. 'Every year is different.' ..."

ECU dental school nets $25 million
"East Carolina University would receive $25 million to build a dental school under a budget deal reached late Wednesday night," writes the Greenville Daily Reflector.

"That amount, if approved by the full General Assembly, would 'certainly get us moving and get us the money we need to move ahead,' said Dr. Greg Chadwick, dean of the ECU dental school.

"As of Thursday night, the Legislature had yet to produce copies of the budget accord. Lead negotiators reached an agreement late Wednesday, the Associated Press reported. Copies of the bill were being drafted Thursday, with votes on it possibly coming this weekend, said Bill Holmes, a spokesman for House Speaker Joe Hackney, D-Orange. ..."