Colorado Springs–May 2, 2023– Pikes Peak State College has received the largest grant in its history to fund a center that will combat the region's severe shortage of dental hygienists.
 
This unprecedented grant of $2.5 million from the Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation (DDCOF), also the largest single gift this foundation has awarded, will help create the Delta Dental Oral Health Career Center at PPSC’s Rampart Range Campus. 

“This transformative gift will catalyze the creation of the Delta Dental Oral Health Career Center at Pikes Peak State College. Delta Dental’s confidence in PPSC through this extraordinary and generous gift will launch our campaign to develop additional resources in support of the creation of a state-of-the-art dental training center," said PPSC President Lance Bolton. 

"This unique training facility will enable the college to begin a dental hygiene program and expand the existing dental assisting program. This opportunity stands out because Colorado Springs is one of the largest metro areas in the nation without a dental hygienist program, and our region suffers from a significant shortage of dental health professionals."
   
 The total cost of the project is projected to be between $9 and $10 million dollars.  The college hopes to pay for the remaining costs through fundraising efforts and college reserves.

 
 The college expects to have renovations complete by August, 2024, with dental assisting initially occupying the space.  The dental hygiene program has a significant accreditation process to follow and is expected to open in August, 2025.
 
The grant funding this center is part of Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation (DDCOF) a nearly $11 million investment, funding more than 40 organizations working to ensure that all Coloradans have access to oral health care. Four of the grants, totaling nearly $5 million over four years, will be dedicated to expanding and diversifying dental hygiene programs across the state, working in partnership with Colorado’s higher-education system. Pikes Peak State College is the recipient of one of these.

"This investment is focused on supporting a workforce that’s more reflective of our state's population. So that first of all people of all races and backgrounds see opportunity in dentistry, but also the customers know that they'll be given their care and more culturally competent manner that they're comfortable in," said Governor Jared Polis during yesterday's press conference in Denver.
 
Colorado ranks 48th in the nation for training facilities for dental hygienists and even lower for dental assistants. As a result, both are in critically high demand in our state. Dentists in our community have been asking for a dental hygienist program for many years and now Pikes Peak State has the ability to answer the call.
 
Facility Details

The Delta Dental Oral Health Career Center will feature two clinics with 20 total chairs. Students will be trained to meet the highest standards in oral health, including intra-oral and 3D imaging, leading-edge CAD/CAM crown design and production as well as working with more traditional materials and processes. 
 
 High-fidelity simulation will provide low-risk/high-impact learning outcomes for both daily clinical operations and emergency situations. Other educational spaces include central sterilization; 1 panagraphic/ cephalometric exposure room for extraoral imaging; 2 general labs; 1 additional lecture space; and 1 student resource room. 
 

The building, which previously  housed one of the college's Child Development Centers, is 12,320 square feet, with plenty of on-campus parking. The renovation will focus on strategically relocating interior walls to accommodate instructional and public spaces. Renovation will provide mechanical, plumbing, and electrical rough-in for medical-grade equipment.

Community Services
Each year, low-income clinics are a part of the curriculum: 15-week clinics will offer hygiene services in the fall and spring, with a 15-week general-services clinic offered in the spring. Dental hygiene services will be provided for 10 weeks in the summer semester as well. Special Service Saturdays will be a monthly feature. Once fully operational, the dental hygiene program will service around 200 patients per week, with fees ranging from $0 to $75. All clinics are operated under the supervision of a licensed dentist.

About Pikes Peak State College

Established in 1968 and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Pikes Peak offers associate degrees, certifications in career and technical fields and three bachelors’ degrees. With three campuses, various off-campus locations, two military education centers, and hundreds of online classes, PPSC provides access to a quality, affordable and flexible education to more than 18,000 students annually with both credit and non-credit classes.