Catching a glimpse

University of Otago dental student Alex Hearn shows mum Lisa around the new dental clinical services building before his graduation ceremony on Saturday.

While Mr Hearn was only in his second year of dentistry, he was able to be capped for his neuroscience degree that afternoon.

He and his family members were some of many to take up a free tour of the facility on Saturday.

Clinical director Don Schwass said the tours were a way of giving the public a glimpse of the "state of the art" clinics.

"We're very proud of it."

Construction began on the $139million facility in 2014, and it was officially opened in June.