Update on Next Steps for New Dental Hygiene Education Program in Central Virginia
Prospective students may apply through Germanna Community College through August 29
Over the past year, many of you have contributed your time, expertise, and leadership to help advance the development of a dental hygiene program at Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC). This collaborative effort reflects our shared commitment to addressing workforce shortages and improving access to oral healthcare throughout our region. Thanks to the dedication of community stakeholders, we have made significant progress toward launching the program. We are pleased to share an update and invite your continued partnership as we work to bring this vision to life.
About the Program: PVCC is partnering with Germanna Community College (GCC) to launch an Associate of Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene in Spring 2027. The two-year program will enroll a cohort of five students each year, serving 10 students annually once fully implemented. Through a consortium model, GCC will serve as the accredited institution while PVCC students complete laboratory instruction and clinical experiences locally and participate in cohort-based lectures delivered by GCC faculty. This partnership enables PVCC to respond quickly to a critical workforce need while avoiding the substantial costs and lengthy timeline required to establish an independent program. While intentionally small to meet accreditation requirements, the program represents an important first step toward strengthening the local dental workforce and expanding access to oral healthcare throughout Central Virginia.
Program Milestones
- The program is now featured on PVCC’s website, and prospective students may apply through Germanna Community College through August 29.
- PVCC has launched a search for a full-time coordinator/faculty member to lead the program locally.
- PVCC has identified two primary clinical education sites: the dental clinic at 1138 Rose Hill Drive and the UVA Dental Clinic. MOUs are currently in draft form.
- PVCC has submitted a prospectus to the Commission on Colleges and Universities to seek approval to launch the program.
Program Funding
PVCC estimates that launching and sustaining the Dental Hygiene Program will require an investment of more than $1.6 million during its first five years. Thanks to generous early supporters, more than $260,000 has already been committed, demonstrating strong community confidence in the program and helping PVCC build momentum toward launch. Additional state, foundation, and corporate funding opportunities are actively being pursued. Flexible local support will strengthen our ability to pursue and secure these competitive funding opportunities.
We seek to secure a minimum of $600,000 in commitments by October 1 to cover startup needs and establish support for the program's first three years of personnel costs. Reaching this milestone is critical, as the College must begin facility improvements, purchase equipment, and make staffing commitments during the fall semester in order to meet accreditation and operational requirements for a Spring 2027 launch. Funding commitments received by October 1 will enable PVCC to make the investments necessary to prepare clinical and instructional spaces for the first cohort of students. Our goal is to reach $1 million by April 1 to ensure the program's first three years of operation—including staffing, clinical and instructional supplies, equipment maintenance, technology, accreditation, and other essential expenses—are financially sustainable.
While student financial aid remains important, the greatest barrier to launching and sustaining the program is funding the program itself. Tuition revenue will cover only a small portion of program costs, making flexible investments in facilities, equipment, personnel, and clinical infrastructure essential. Because accreditation standards require small clinical cohorts and intensive hands-on instruction, long-term sustainability will depend on a combination of tuition revenue, grants, philanthropy, and community partnerships.
We welcome the opportunity to discuss the program, our funding priorities, and ways you can help create a lasting workforce solution for Central Virginia. To learn more or explore opportunities for investment and partnership, please contact me at hstillerman@pvcc.edu, or Dr. Leigh Keniston, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Workforce Development, at lkeniston@pvcc.edu.
