To establish a Dental Hygiene program at the Phoenix campus to address workforce shortages in Arizona.
Approach:
Program Details: The 18-month program will award an Associate of Applied Science degree, combining classroom instruction, laboratory training, and clinical experience.
Curriculum: The curriculum includes anatomy and physiology, periodontology, oral pathology, radiology, pharmacology, patient care, public health, and dental law and ethics.
Clinical Experience: Students will gain clinical experience through an on-site dental hygiene clinic opening in early 2027, providing preventive services under supervision.
Key Findings:
Arizona meets less than 35% of its dental health workforce needs.
Millions of residents live in designated dental health professional shortage areas.
Over 90% of dental practices report difficulty recruiting dental hygienists.
Limitations:
The program is still in the enrollment phase, with the first class starting in November 2026.
The on-site clinic will not open until early 2027.
Conclusion:
The Phoenix Dental Hygiene program is designed to equip students with the necessary skills and experience to meet the growing demand for dental hygienists.
