Colorado Springs, CO - Pikes Peak State College announces the anticipated grand opening of the Delta Dental Oral Health Career Center. The press is invited to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, July 16, from 1 PM to 3 PM at 2070 Interquest Pkwy, Colorado Springs, CO 80921.

The facility renovation was made possible by a $2.5 million grant from the Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation (DDCOF), which is not only the largest grant in PPSC’s history but also the largest single gift the foundation has ever awarded. This state-of-the-art facility will combat the region's severe shortage of dental hygienists and dental assistants.

“Delta Dental’s confidence in PPSC through this extraordinary and generous gift has launched our campaign to develop additional resources that not only support our students but also address needs in our community," says PPSC’s President Lance Bolton.

"This unique training facility enables the college to implement a new 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 grant funding this center is part of Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation's nearly $11 million investment in ensuring that all Coloradans have access to oral health care. Pikes Peak State College is one of the recipients of this initiative, aimed at expanding and diversifying dental hygiene programs across the state.

"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 a press conference in Denver last year.

Colorado ranks 48th in the nation for training facilities for dental hygienists and even lower for dental assistants. This new facility aims to address this critical demand. The Delta Dental Oral Health Career Center will feature two clinics with 20 total chairs, high-fidelity simulation for low-risk/high-impact learning, and advanced dental technology including intra-oral and 3D imaging, and CAD/CAM crown design and production. Now that facility renovations are complete, the dental assisting program will initially occupy the space until the dental hygiene program becomes fully accredited to open in time for the start of the fall semester of 2025.

Each year, low-income clinics will be part of the curriculum. 15-week clinics will offer hygiene services in the fall and spring, with a 15-week general services clinic in the spring. Dental hygiene services will also be provided for 10 weeks in the summer semester. 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.

For more information about the Delta Dental Oral Health Career Center, please visit pikespeak.edu/delta-dental. To learn more about PPSC’s Dental Assisting program, visit pikespeak.edu/dental-assisting or PPSC’s debut Dental Hygiene program, visit pikespeak.edu/dental-hygiene. To RSVP to the ribbon-cutting ceremony, please email Rachel.Tyrrell@pikespeak.edu. 

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 bachelor’s degrees. With four campuses, various off-campus locations, two military education centers, and hundreds of online classes, PPSC provides access to quality, affordable, and flexible education to more than 17,000 students annually with both credit and non-credit classes.