FORT COLLINS, Colo. — A new dental hygiene program at Front Range Community College is working to address a nationwide shortage of dental hygienists, while expanding access to affordable dental care for underserved patients in northern Colorado.
The program, launched this year at the college’s Fort Collins campus, provides low-cost teeth cleanings and more. The initiative comes as the American Dental Association reports staffing shortages have reduced the number of patients dental offices can see nationwide by roughly 11%.
“There’s so few dental hygienists,” faculty supervisor Gretchen Dunn said. “In fact, if I stop and talk to a dentist, they’re like, ‘Send some my way. I want some dental hygienists, please.’”…