Peninsula College announced today two major milestones towards its new Dental Hygiene, Associate of Applied Science–Transfer (AAS-T) degree – receiving initial accreditation from the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and an $800,000 grant from Delta Dental of Washington.
The new dental hygiene program is expected to expand access to oral healthcare and living-wage careers on the North Olympic Peninsula, with student enrollment planned for Fall Quarter 2026 and graduation of the inaugural cohort of 10 students in Spring 2028.
The accreditation and grant announcements come as the demand for dental health professionals is at an all-time high – often contributing to longer patient waits for important preventive dental health services – especially in rural areas.
For years, the state has experienced a critical workforce shortage of dental hygienists and dental assistants. The situation is even more dire in rural areas, among historically marginalized racial and ethnic groups, and in other medically underserved communities.
“Today is a big day for Peninsula College and for the communities we serve,” said Suzy Ames, president of Peninsula College. “It reflects years of collaboration, investment, and perseverance and it means our region will soon have a homegrown pipeline of dental hygienists who are trained locally, stay locally, and help improve access to oral healthcare across the North Olympic Peninsula.”
“Most dental disease is preventable, but it’s extremely challenging to prevent oral health issues if you don’t have access to care, said Delta Dental of Washington President & CEO Mark Mitchke. “Because of the close connection between oral and whole-body health, access to preventive care is critically important to keeping people healthy, reducing complications due to chronic conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and reducing missed workdays for adults and missed school days for our kids.”
The Dental Hygiene AAS-T program prepares students for eligibility as licensed dental hygienists while expanding access to high-quality dental hygiene education for communities in Clallam and Jefferson counties which are currently underrepresented in the dental hygienist workforce. Designed with equity and student success at its core, the program combines rigorous academics, hands-on clinical learning, and comprehensive student support, preparing graduates for licensure and high-demand healthcare careers in as little as 24 months.
Students will learn in small, inclusive classes and gain real-world experience in the on-campus Peninsula College Dental Hygiene Clinic, a public-serving clinic which will offer low-cost dental services to the community. The curriculum aligns with CODA standards, incorporates employer input, and reflects best practices in dental hygiene education, ensuring graduates are ready to deliver patient-centered care across a range of practice settings.
“As a mission-driven organization, dental workforce development is one of the most important investments we can make in expanding access to care, particularly in rural and other medically underserved communities where the need is greatest,” added Delta Dental of Washington Chief Mission Officer Diane Oakes.
Regional demand is strong, with an estimated 138 annual job openings for dental hygienists through 2030 (Washington State Employment Security Department). Despite competitive wages, with average local hourly rates between $58 and $68 according to Indeed.com salary data for Clallam and Jefferson Counties (accessed February 2026), employers struggle to fill positions due to the lack of nearby education programs. The closest existing programs are more than 100 miles away.
Developed in response to this urgent need, Peninsula College’s program was shaped by an advisory committee of more than 20 local dental professionals who supported curriculum development.
The Peninsula College Foundation has led the fundraising efforts which are making the Dental Hygiene program and clinic a reality. This work was made possible through early investments from Senator Patty Murray and the U.S. Department of Education, along with generous support with lead funding from Delta Dental of Washington. The Foundation expressed its gratitude for the collective commitment of additional local and regional partners, including First Fed Foundation, Dr. Todd and Michele Haworth, the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, North Olympic Healthcare Network, Olympic Community of Health, individual members of the Olympic Peninsula dental community, Olympic Peninsula Dental Hygienists, Estate of Adelaine Ostrowski, Perkins Career & Technical Education, Washington State Dental Association, the Willard L. Todnem & S. Anne Todnem Fund, and anonymous donors.
Demonstrating strong confidence in the program’s long-term impact, Delta Dental of Washington previously committed $100,000 as a challenge grant as part of its $800,000 contribution, and the North Olympic healthcare partners and dental communities answered the call. Thanks to the generosity and leadership of local dental partners and supporters, the challenge was recently met, resulting in a powerful investment in students, expanded access to oral healthcare, and a more sustainable local dental workforce for the region’s future.
Students will be required to complete academic prerequisites, pass the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) exam, and meet required immunizations. Financial aid, including FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid), scholarships, and external support through professional associations, is available to help offset program costs.
The application deadline for the new program is June 1, with classes beginning Sept. 21. Prospective students and community partners can learn more about the Dental Hygiene program, application process, and ways to support scholarships and program sustainability by visiting pencol.edu/dental.
