MOHELA money to go to Southeast's new dental hygiene clinic at Sikeston

Southeast Missouri State University received $173,000 for the expense of renovating space at the Sikeston, Mo., campus for use as a dental hygiene clinic, Gov. Matt Blunt and Sen. Jason Crowell announced Thursday.

The money, part of the money turned over to the state by the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority under legislation passed last year, will reimburse the university for the costs associated with creating the teaching clinic. A ribbon cutting for the new clinic was held in April.

"Southeast Missouri is historically underserved when it comes to dental care," Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, said in a news release. "This facility is giving students the knowledge and ability to better the quality of life for residents in our community."

The money is part of $24 million designated for Southeast Missouri State from the MOHELA proceeds under a program called the Lewis & Clark Discovery Initiative.