Concorde Career Colleges has added an accelerated dental hygienist program to its Grand Prairie, Texas, campus to address the dental workforce shortage, the healthcare school network said Oct. 5.
The accelerated program is enrolling students now. The school will accept 32 students every eight months. The program was granted initial accreditation by the Commission on Dental Accreditation this month, and classes will begin in November.
Students will also provide dental services to people who cannot afford treatment in an on-site dental clinic, which will open by next summer.
The college is one of many schools nationwide that are adding dental programs to address workforce shortages.
According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, the dental hygienist shortage is projected to increase by 28.4 percent in Texas by 2030.