CEI launches dental hygiene degree program in Idaho Falls to address workforce shortage

It’s one of the most in-demand but often overlooked areas when discussions focus on the state’s shortage of qualified health care professionals.

In the arena of preventative periodontal care, dental hygienists play a critical role. But the pathways available to study and train in Idaho for this rewarding profession are severely limited.

However, this fall a new dental hygiene program offering students a two-year Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene degree, will begin at the College of Eastern Idaho (CEI) in Idaho Falls, becoming just the fourth such program available statewide.

“Dental professions are sometimes overlooked in broader health care workforce discussions, much like other allied health fields such as surgical technology, medical assisting and medical lab science,” said Dr. Angela Sackett, vice president of Academic and Student Affairs for CEI.

“Our region has experienced an ongoing shortage of dental hygienists, making it difficult for local dental practices to remain fully staffed.”

A recent report from the American Dental Association classified the recruitment of hygienists as “very” or “extremely” challenging, with a shortage of qualified practitioners topping the list of challenges dentists face finding qualified staff.

“Dental practices are facing ongoing challenges in hiring and retaining dental hygienists, making it difficult to meet the rising demand for care in our community,” said Dr. Bryce Burtenshaw, DDS, of Family Dental Health Center, who also serves on the CEI Technical Advisory Committee (TAC).

With initial accreditation granted by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, a cohort of 10 students will represent the program’s inaugural class beginning in August of this year.

Dr. Kandis Garland, who has spent the past 25 years both working in the field and teaching the craft at the collegiate level, will serve as the program manager. After 14 years as an instructor at Idaho State University (ISU), she knows Idaho’s eastern region well.

“There is a shortage of dental hygienists across the country,” Garland said. “We find a lot of people from this area wind up going to Utah or other areas so this really serves the local community and region. Students will now be able to stay and work in the community in which they live.”

Working to keep homegrown students who become qualified health care professionals working in Idaho will be a key component of the program.

“By doing so, we empower students to remain in our community, build meaningful careers and contribute to the long term vitality of the region,” Sackett said. “CEI is proud to support our communities in this impactful way.”

With a smile, Garland admitted she has always been “interested in teeth.” She obtained both her undergraduate and master’s degrees in dental hygiene at the University of Minnesota. Infection control has been her primary focus in the field.

In addition to working as a hygienist and teaching at ISU, she has provided classroom dental instruction at a community college in Wyoming and at the Oregon Institute of Technology.

While only in Oregon just shy of two years, she found she could no longer brush off the opportunity to help kickstart the new dental hygiene program at CEI.

“It was a really great opportunity to come to CEI and be able to use all my expertise and to start a great and worthwhile program,” she said. “I had not been in Oregon long, but this opportunity just kept calling me.”

After making the jump to CEI, she began chipping away at completing the program’s accreditation process and developing curriculum in January 2024.

Though CEI has long offered students a certificate program in dental assisting, Garland says this new hygiene program will function on a grander scale. Upon completion, students will have earned an associated arts degree, and eventually the title of Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH).

“A dental assistant in Idaho can be office trained and get hired to work or go through a program in one semester,” Garland said. “But as a licensed professional, the hygienist does all the preventative aspects of care with a much higher level of education and training.”

Licensure for hygienists includes successful completion of a series of boards and exams, both written and clinical, as well as maintaining continuing educational standards. It also opens a pathway to a bachelor’s degree for those who take that route.

Through the new CEI program, students will receive hands-on instruction using modern tools such as lasers and ultrasonic equipment, all while experiencing real-world clinical training and professional opportunities.

“Everything we will be using in our program will be used in the real world when they begin to practice their trade,” Garland said. “Plus, we could be teaching things that may not be happening just yet that students could eventually bring to their practice.”

Due to space limitations and accreditation requirements, only 10 students will be selected for the program each fall. According to Garland, CEI received more than five times as many applications for the program than there are spaces available.

“There is obviously a great need and there is already great interest in our program,” she said, “and most wanting to get into the profession apply at multiple schools because it is so competitive.”

Accreditation also requires each student selected for the program to have their own workstation.

“We are limited by our space. We have only a 10-chair, fully functional dental clinic,” Garland said. “We are hoping to grow but for now we will start with 10 students.”

Donor grants totaling almost $300,000 from an array of community partners are helping fund the costs of many of the tools of the trade for the new program. Garland called the contributions “all we need” to help establish a “high-quality program.”

“These valuable grants have helped us to acquire some state-of-the-art technology that our students may not have access to at other schools,” she said. “We’ve been able to remodel our sterilization and infection control lab.”

Leading the way was a $200,000 donation from Leading Idaho 2.0, Gov. Brad Little’s initiative to invest in the state’s education and workforce development projects. Other healthy funding sources came courtesy of Delta Dental of Idaho, as well as Burtenshaw himself.

“This regional resource is the ideal institution to develop a dental hygiene program,” he said. “This initiative represents a win for both aspiring dental hygiene professionals and the community as a whole. I am proud to support and advocate for this high-demand profession.”

For Sackett, who served as the CEI Dean of Health and Human Services at the onset of the program’s birth, strong, local support and industry partnership are all essential program keys.

“Engagement from dental professionals was vital in helping us understand workforce expectations and industry standards,” she said. “Several local dental professionals serve on the TAC, which was established early in the exploration phase of the program. Their feedback, expertise and continued involvement have been instrumental in shaping a strong, relevant and high quality program.”

Overall, the goal is to make the dental hygiene program sparkle like a healthy checkup, one that benefits the profession, the local community and the students who will position themselves for lasting and highly relevant careers.

“This program aligns perfectly with the mission of the College of Eastern Idaho,” Sackett said. “Above all, we are committed to student success, offering exceptional educational pathways that lead to high demand, well paying careers.”

As an experienced secondary level educator, Garland knows students will be able to achieve their degree without feeling like they are pulling teeth to pay for the program. “As a community college, it is affordable for students to get in, get their degree and go out and start a fulfilling and rewarding career.

“Our students must purchase an instrument kit, as well as special glasses. They have many other expenses beyond tuition.”

All while obtaining hands-on experience with an opportunity to help some less fortunate community members.

“We’ll eventually be offering low-cost dental care and the students will be conducting the treatments,” she said. “We don’t have many low-cost clinics in the region.”

And Sackett knows CEI has tabbed a polished and experienced dental professional to put a glossy shine on this new program that aims to take a bite out of the shortage of qualified health care workers in Idaho.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have Dr. Garland leading the program,” Sackett said. “She brings years of educational experience and a depth of expertise that far exceeds expectations. We are excited to see how her vision will continue to guide and strengthen the program in the years ahead.”

A Minnesota native, Garland called it an “exciting journey” to return to Idaho where her husband is from, and to help get the CEI dental hygiene program up and running.

“This was an opportunity to take all my experiences from various places and bring them to CEI to help construct a really beneficial program,” she said. “It’s been truly rewarding to serve in this role.”