CMC’s Vail Valley pending dental hygiene program makes progress toward accreditation

Potential students may register for general prerequisite classes now

Aug. 2, 2023 – Dental hygienists are in high demand throughout the country and in Colorado. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, since 2018, employment of dental hygienists has continued at a pace much faster than the average for other occupations – and projections point to continued growth in this health care field.

In addition to being highly sought after, hygienists play a crucial health care role by providing preventive oral health care. And dental hygienists are highly paid – in Colorado, starting salaries exceed $80,000 annually.

That’s why Colorado Mountain College is taking the steps necessary to establish the first and only dental hygiene program between the Front Range and Rangely, at the CMC Vail Valley at Edwards campus. By next summer, it’s anticipated that aspiring dental hygienists living in and near the Vail Valley will be able to study for a dental hygiene career close to home.

Register now

The process to establish a dental hygiene program is naturally lengthy and complex. The Edwards campus’s program is currently pending initial accreditation from the Commission on Dental Accreditation, which includes a site visit to the Edwards campus this September. The soonest CMC’s program is anticipated to receive initial accreditation is January 2024, with classes beginning in July 2024.

In the meantime, however, it’s possible for potential students to begin taking general prerequisite classes in preparation of inclusion in the college’s first cohort of dental hygiene students. Laura Jacob, the program director for CMC’s pending dental hygiene program, said those prerequisites are “very similar to the nursing program” that CMC offers.

Once the program receives accreditation, students will begin a rigorous, six continuous semester program on campus at a state-of-the-art dental skills lab and an oral health clinic in partnership with Mountain Family Health Center. Dental hygiene students complete national written and clinical boards prior to gaining state licensure. Upon successful completion, students will earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in dental hygiene.

Support for the program

In support of the pending program, the CMC Foundation has thus far raised $1.5 million of a desired $2 million in philanthropic gifts toward the capital and programmatic needs of the program. Gifts have included $850,000 through two grants from the Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation and $600,000 from the Colorado Health Foundation, as well as support from the Gates Family Foundation and Denta Quest.

"Colorado Mountain College is committed to bringing high-impact programs to our communities and our students and this pending dental hygiene program is the latest example,” said Kristin Heath Colon, CMC vice president and foundation CEO. “We are excited to partner with the philanthropic community to bring this high-wage, high-need program to benefit our mountain communities."

CMC’s website has information regarding prerequisite courses students may take starting fall semester 2023 and about the pending dental hygiene program.