In response to a growing shortage of dental hygienists, particularly on Colorado’s Western Slope, Colorado Mountain College (CMC) has inaugurated the fifth dental hygiene program in the state. This new program, located in the Vail Valley, is the first and only one of its kind between the Front Range and Rangely.
“This facility and program will help address a critical gap in healthcare within our rural communities,” stated Marc Brennan, Vice President and Campus Dean of Colorado Mountain College Vail Valley. “The investment in this clinic demonstrates CMC’s commitment to addressing workforce needs and creating degrees that provide graduates with a livable wage.”
The idea of offering a dental hygiene degree at CMC has been in the works for over six years, Brennan noted.
A Long Journey to Fulfillment
Laura Jacob, the program’s director, recounted the journey to this momentous occasion. “I don’t usually get nervous, but today I’m feeling emotional,” Jacob shared as the crowd, bracing for rain, opened their umbrellas.
The current facility, once a fire station housing engines and equipment, has been transformed into a state-of-the-art oral health clinic. In February 2021, CMC engaged with Western Slope dental professionals via Zoom to gauge the need for a dental hygiene program. The response was overwhelmingly positive.
“The community clearly wanted this program,” Jacob remarked.
Initially brought on as a consultant, Jacob evaluated the designated space and noted it could accommodate no more than 10 dental operatories. “I questioned whether the college would ever break even, only to learn that financial gain wasn’t the goal—meeting community needs was,” she said.
Jacob also stressed the importance of housing for students, given the program’s rigorous schedule requiring them to be on campus four days a week. She was assured that affordable housing was being built next to the Edwards campus, a project that has since completed two out of three buildings. Jacob now resides there, along with Associate Professor Vanessa Crookshank and two students.
When asked to take on the role of program director, Jacob hesitated. “I think I’ve never said ‘no’ more times in a row,” she admitted, but with encouragement from her daughter, she ultimately accepted the challenge.
A Focus on Students and Community
Students enrolled in the program will earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in dental hygiene over six continuous semesters. Though the ribbon-cutting ceremony took place recently, the first cohort of students has been attending classes since the start of the summer term.
During her speech, Jacob turned to address the students. “Every day, I focused on this dream—this dream of you,” she said. “The clinic is wonderful, but it’s the students we serve. I couldn’t be more proud of you.”
Diana Aragon, a student in the inaugural cohort, shared her reasons for joining the program. A Gypsum native, Aragon had previously attended the Vail Valley Dental Assisting School in 2016 and was accepted into a dental hygiene program in Rangely. However, she found Rangely wasn’t a good fit. “Luckily, we now have this program,” she said. “I chose CMC because it’s in the ideal location we call home, it’s beautiful, and I can stay close to my family.”
Addressing the Dental Hygienist Shortage
Brad Guyton, Chief Dental Officer of Delta Dental, which represents roughly half of Colorado’s commercially insured dental patients, spoke about the pressing need for more dental hygienists. “We hear about the shortage ‘crisis’ from dentists all the time,” Guyton said.
Delta Dental, a key supporter of the CMC program, aims to increase the number and diversity of dental hygienists in the state. “The Latino population in Colorado is 22%, yet less than 10% of our hygienists are Black, Hispanic, or Indigenous,” Guyton highlighted.
In March, CMC received $3 million in federal funding for its dental clinic and hygiene program. Additional support has come from the Colorado Health Foundation, the Gates Family Foundation, Mountain Family Health Center, DentaQuest, and other partners.
Jacob summed up the program’s success, saying, “There are four winners here: the students, the college, the partners, and the community, which now has access to much-needed affordable oral healthcare.”
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