CMC receives grant from Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation for new dental hygiene program

CMC Vail Valley will host only program between Rangely and the Front Range to train dental hygienists

May 1, 2023 – A new dental hygiene program slated to become part of the curriculum at Colorado Mountain College’s Vail Valley at Edwards campus is off to a great start, thanks to a $750,000 grant from the Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation.

The grant, awarded to the CMC Foundation, is part of nearly $5 million in grants the Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation announced May 1, to expand and diversify dental hygiene programs across the state. Kristin Heath Colon, CMC vice president of advancement and foundation CEO, joined Gov. Jared Polis and Delta Dental’s leadership team in Denver celebrating this commitment.

“We are thrilled to award (these) grants to organizations making an impact across the entire state,” said Adeeb Khan, executive director of Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation. “We believe that the work of these organizations is essential for accessible oral health care in Colorado.”

“This is the second grant we’ve received from the Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation in anticipation of the new dental hygiene program,” said Heath Colon. “Their support in the exploratory phase, and now the final phase has been paramount in helping us bring this critical new program to fruition for our communities."

Laura Jacob is the program director for CMC’s pending new dental hygiene program. Jacob joined Heath Colon in Denver for this celebratory announcement.

"Colorado Mountain College is committed to bringing high-impact programs to our communities and our students and the new dental hygiene program is the latest example,” Jacob said. “We are excited to partner with the Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation and other donors to bring this high-wage, high-need program to benefit our mountain communities."

About Colorado Mountain College: Colorado Mountain College is a dual mission, local district college serving approximately 15,000 students per year with non-credit community classes, certificate programs and associate and bachelor’s degrees at 11 campuses located in the central mountain region of western Colorado.

About the Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation: Since 1954, Delta Dental of Colorado has been working to improve oral health by emphasizing preventative health. As a 501(c)(3) organization funded by the nonprofit Delta Dental of Colorado, the foundation intends to advance oral health equity throughout local communities across Colorado by implementing transformative programs and initiatives.

About the Colorado Mountain College Foundation: Since 1985, the CMC Foundation has served as the college’s nonprofit fundraising partner. Thanks to donations from individuals, foundations and businesses, over $65 million has been raised since inception in support of CMC’s students, programs and the college’s campuses.