The University of Tennessee Health Science Centerhas received more than $2 million that will help finish the renovations of the school’s College of Dentistry as well as move research in the physiology department forward, according to the Memphis Business Journal.

Delta Dental of Tennessee is donating $1 million to the College of Dentistry to help finalize an $8 million renovation that began in 2009 and will be completed later this year. The funding will be used to replace outdated equipment in the Delta Dental of Tennessee Dental Simulation Center on the UTHSC campus. The simulation center serves as the primary laboratory space where dentistry students gain hands-on experience to develop patient care techniques.

Delta Dental also provided $1 million to fund the simulation center, which was opened in 2004.

“This contribution serves as a challenge to alumni and friends of the college to finish what we started in the renovation and updating of the UT College of Dentistry facilities,” Phil Wenk, president and CEO of Delta Dental, said in a statement. “I hope our continued support of the college will encourage others to do likewise.”