Your Voice is Needed at Community Meeting November 1 to Discuss Future of Dental Hygiene Program at VPCC
The Virginia Peninsula Community College Dental Hygiene Program recently paused admissions for students and is holding a community meeting next week to evaluate its path forward. This is one of only five community college dental hygiene programs in Virginia, and most of the program graduates go on to practice on the Peninsula.
The VDA has been working with the Governor’s administration, members of the General Assembly and VCCS to try to address any concerns the school’s administration has about continuing the program.
They want to hear directly from local dentists about the importance of continuing this program.
The school administration is holding a community meeting that’s open to any dentists or interested community members to attend this November 1, in Williamsburg. VDA staff will be there. Additional details and a letter from the school administration can be found below.
Virginia Peninsula Community College - Dental Hygiene Program - Community Leaders Meeting
- Wed, Nov 01, 2023 | 4:00 PM- 5:30 PM
- Location: VPCC Historic Triangle Campus
- Address: 4601 Opportunity Way, Williamsburg, VA
- Contact: Barbara Mason
- Email: masonb@vpcc.edu
If you can’t make it, we would also welcome you sharing your support directly with
- Kerry Ragno, VPCC Vice President of Academic Affairs ragnok@vpcc.edu
- Dr. Towuanna Porter Brannon, appointed VPCC President in 2021 brannonp@vpcc.edu
Some background on the VPCC Dental Hygiene program:
- This program has trained 92 dental hygienists since 2011, with consistent 100% board pass rates.
- Most of these hygienists remain on the Peninsula after graduation, filling a critical need for oral healthcare in our community.
- The loss of this program – one of only 5 community college-based programs in Virginia – would have a devastating impact on access to essential dental care in this area.
- The program itself has directly provided dental care to more than 11,000 patients in the area and supports the work of local free and charitable clinics.
