NCMC APPROVES NEW DENTAL HYGIENE PROGRAM TO STRENGTHEN REGIONAL HEALTHCARE WORKFORCE

NCMC APPROVES NEW DENTAL HYGIENE PROGRAM TO STRENGTHEN REGIONAL HEALTHCARE WORKFORCE
 

PETOSKEY, Mich. — North Central Michigan College (NCMC) has approved a new Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Dental Hygiene, a high-demand program designed to expand access to oral-health education and strengthen the region’s healthcare workforce.

The new degree, approved unanimously by the NCMC Board of Trustees on December 9, will be the college’s first for-credit offering in the dental sciences, reflecting a strategic investment in healthcare, career, and technical education aimed at meeting urgent talent needs across Northern Michigan.

“North Central’s new dental hygiene program responds to employer demand and supports long-term health outcomes. It will offer students a clear, affordable pathway into a growing profession with strong earning potential,” said NCMC President David Roland Finley. “We see it as a meaningful ‘win-win’ for our students and the communities they live in and serve.”

Expanding Access to Dental Healthcare

North Central’s program is set to become Northern Michigan’s first dental hygiene degree program, addressing ongoing workforce shortages and barriers to preventive dental care across the region. Many local dental offices have carried hygienist vacancies for a year or longer, and patients often face wait times of 12 months or more for basic preventive services, according to Program Director Rico Breznau, MA, RDH, RDA.

“By training dental hygienists locally, North Central will help meet employer demand while improving access to care, especially for patients and families who are most affected when preventive services are delayed or unavailable,” Breznau said.

Program Overview

North Central’s program will be a three-year degree pathway that begins with a full year of general education and introductory dental coursework followed by two years of advanced classroom and clinical instruction. The cohort-style program will accept 15 students per cohort, with one cohort starting each fall. It will include a competitive application process, and college officials anticipate a waitlist of interested students.

Graduates of the program will be eligible to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and the American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX) clinical examination. Successful completion of a Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)–accredited program and both exams qualifies graduates for licensure as dental hygienists in the state of Michigan. 

In addition to private practice careers, graduates may pursue opportunities in public health dentistry, education, insurance and claims review, and other specialized settings, according to Breznau. 

Site Selection Underway for Instructional Clinic

With formal program approval by the NCMC Board of Trustees, college officials will finalize planning for the program’s clinical and instructional site, currently planned off-campus. The proposed state-of-the-art clinic will include both teaching and patient-care space and is expected to significantly expand access to affordable preventive dental services in the region.

Steps to Program Approval and Projected Launch

Establishing the dental hygiene program requires additional, external approvals. The program proposal will now undergo review processes with the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and the U.S. Department of Education for federal financial aid eligibility. Based on required site reviews and approval timelines, college officials are targeting a program start date of Fall 2028. For more information about the dental hygiene program and steps to launch, visit https://www.ncmich.edu/about-us/foundation/transforming-tomorrow.

About North Central Michigan College:

North Central Michigan College is an open-door community college based in Petoskey with additional offerings in Cheboygan, Gaylord, and online. North Central’s mission is to provide exceptional, accessible, relevant higher education to the benefit of all. An Achieving the Dream Leader College with a designation of Veteran Friendly Silver by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, North Central is a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association and the Michigan Community College Athletic Association. Learn more at www.ncmich.edu.