The Foundation for NH Community Colleges received a $500,000 gift from Delta Dental for NHTI to address the demand for and shortage of dental hygienists and dental assistants. The gift is one of the largest in the history of the college and will support the expansion of NHTI’s dental clinic services to Medicaid patients.

“Northeast Delta Dental has long supported dental health for Medicaid patients,” NHTI President Patrick Tompkins said. “Through their vision and our partnership, for the first time NHTI will bring affordable oral hygiene care to this New Hampshire demographic that is important for the wellbeing of the Granite State.”

This investment from Delta Dental comes on the one-year anniversary of legislation that provided comprehensive Medicaid oral health benefits for NH adults. It enables NHTI to launch a three-year pilot initiative to expand the reach of the school’s Dental Hygiene Clinic, the educational facility on campus where students provide dental care to the public with close supervision by faculty.

“NHTI offers the only program in New Hampshire for training dental hygienists,” Tompkins said. “Expanding service to Medicaid patients in our Dental Hygiene Clinic also expands the training opportunities for students who will work in all our communities.”

The funds from Delta Dental, combined with an equal investment from the college, will allow for the hiring of a Medicaid specialist and a supervising dentist. In addition, the funding will allow NHTI to make necessary upgrades to the program’s equipment and improvements in the program’s materials and radiology labs.

“It’s great for the community, and it’s an incredible opportunity for our students,” Lisa Scott, NHTI Dental Hygiene Program department chairwoman, said. “Our students will gain invaluable experience in treating these patients in a clinical setting.”

Established in 1970, the NHTI Dental Hygiene Program is recognized for its high-quality training that prepares students for this healthcare role serving patients in New Hampshire. Dental hygienists provide a range of preventive and therapeutic dental services, including assessments and care planning.

“With the expansion of Medicaid dental benefits, coupled with a continued dental hygiene shortage, the need for a skilled workforce is critical,” Tom Raffio, the president and CEO of Northeast Delta Dental, said. “We are committed to continuing to support the state’s only Dental Hygiene Program at NHTI and the needed expansion to sustain and grow the future dental workforce that is essential for the region.”

To learn more about supporting community college students, visit GiveNHCC.org.

Caption: From left-to-right: Joseph Errante, DDS, Vice President of Network and Clinical Strategies, Northeast Delta Dental; Lisa Scott, NHTI Dental Hygiene Program department chair; Dr. Patrick Tompkins, NHTI president; Jennifer McGrath, Senior Manager, Corporate Giving at Northeast Delta Dental and Tom Raffio, President and CEO of Northeast Delta Dental.

Submitted by the Foundation for NH Community Colleges.