Transformative gift to CWRU creates new model in dental care for those with special healthcare needs

Marking a historic moment for healthcare access in Cleveland, R. William (Bill) Cornell Jr., DDS (DEN ’60), and his wife, Chloe T. Cornell, have made a $15 million gift to Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine to address gaps in oral healthcare for people with special healthcare needs.

This transformative gift—the largest in CWRU School of Dental Medicine's history—establishes the R. William Cornell, Jr., DDS and Chloe T. Cornell Oral Health Center for Individuals with Special Needs (the "Cornell Center") and creates the school's first endowed professorship in over 130 years.

The center’s vision, built on three core pillars—lifespan care, interdisciplinary education and community impact—will address the regional shortage of specialized care and set a national model for special healthcare needs dentistry.

"Places for treatment are hard to find," said Chloe Cornell. "The Cornell Center will be a place where parents can get help and reassurance and know that they are not just alone in the world."

For the Cornells, this gift is deeply personal. Chloe Cornell is a registered nurse, and Bill Cornell cared for patients with special healthcare needs throughout his 50-year career as a pediatric dentist. He mentored future dental specialists until his retirement at age 90.

"We have been very blessed to be able to make this gift," said Bill Cornell. "We feel it's very important that children, young adults and older adults with special needs have a place to go."

Initial clinical access will begin in early 2027 with a dedicated five-room operatory startup space in the existing dental clinic. It will be equipped with quiet electric handpieces, digital scanners and CO₂ laser technology. 

"This generous gift will make a real difference for patients and families in our community for decades to come," said CWRU School of Dental Medicine Interim Dean Dale Baur, DDS (DEN ’80). "The Cornell Center will not only expand care for people with special healthcare needs, but also prepare generations of future oral health professionals to deliver that care with greater skill, understanding and compassion."

Lifespan care

Nearly 14,000 children across Northeast Ohio require low-stimulus, sensory-friendly treatment areas or specialized sedation for routine care. 

Even more daunting than the two-year waitlists these families often face for basic oral healthcare, though, is what happens when patients turn 21 and age out of pediatric dentistry. The "care cliff" waiting for them is significant due to a severe shortage of adult providers trained to handle complex cognitive, physical or developmental conditions.

"When we have to tell parents we can no longer treat their child because of age limitations, it creates panic, anxiety and anguish," said Gerald Ferretti, DDS, chair of pediatric dentistry and, upon approval by the Board of Trustees, the inaugural holder of CWRU School of Dental Medicine's first endowed professorship. "The Cornell Center eliminates that barrier, giving families a permanent, compassionate home where their loved ones can receive dignified oral healthcare across their entire lifespan—from infancy through older adulthood."

Interdisciplinary education and training

The Cornell Center will address the national shortage of healthcare professionals with expertise in this area—driven by a lack of formal clinical training in complex adult special needs care—by training and sharing knowledge with institutions across the country.

"By collaborating with existing healthcare institutions and sharing best practices, we will prepare the next generation of practitioners to deliver compassionate, expert care throughout their careers," Ferretti said.

The Cornell Center will integrate pediatric dentistry, advanced general dentistry, craniofacial orthodontics and oral/maxillofacial surgery under a unified team approach with medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, social services and nutrition teams.

Ferretti sees the Cornell Center setting the standard for oral healthcare providers across the country. The center, he said, “will not only provide great care but also serve as a training center that will be a model for other places, showing healthcare providers across the country how you provide the care and train providers."​

Community impact

As Northeast Ohio’s primary dental safety-net provider, the Dental Clinic at Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine treats more than 19,000 patients annually. The clinic delivers high-quality, comprehensive oral healthcare—from routine cleanings and pediatric dentistry to complex oral surgery—at significantly lower costs than private practices.

For many residents, including low-income families, seniors and the uninsured, CWRU is a healthcare lifeline. Through mobile dental programs, school-based outreach and community partnerships, the School of Dental Medicine delivers preventive care directly to underserved neighborhoods. This dual-impact model helps close the regional dental care gap while giving students practical, hands-on experience. 

The Cornell Center extends this care to local residents with complex physical, cognitive and developmental needs.

Treating patients with special healthcare needs often requires general anesthesia for dental procedures in hospital operating rooms, creating an additional toll for caregivers. Beyond the financial cost of a hospital procedure, caregivers must also manage post-procedure recovery. For patients, a high-intensity hospital setting can trigger severe anxiety, sensory overload and disruption for those who thrive on routine. 

The Cornell Center will provide a familiar and comfortable environment, reducing the stress and anxiety often associated with routine and surgical dental care. 

"We hope it becomes a standard—a fixture in the community so these resources for those with special needs are more readily available," Chloe Cornell said. 

Bill and Chloe Cornell hope more in the CWRU community will build upon the work of the Cornell Center and continue expanding its mission to make oral healthcare easily accessible.

“We hope that in the future,” Bill Cornell said, “others will be inspired.”