Supporting the Next Generation of Dental Hygienists and Assistants
Posted on February 2, 2026 in Giving Back
As demand for dental care access continues to grow across Iowa, the Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation has invested in three key educational programs that will play an integral role in the future. Our strategic investments in the Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) Dental Programs, Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Dental Assisting Program, and Iowa Central Community College (ICCC) Dental Hygiene Clinic will help ensure the continuation and expansion of training for the next generation of professionals in our state.
Expanding Opportunities at DMACC
In 2025, the Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation announced a $250,000 investment to expand DMACC’s Dental Programs and facilities. The initiative is projected to grow program enrollment capacity by 25 percent while introducing advanced simulation labs, modern classrooms, a public clinic, and student spaces.
DMACC broke ground on the 26,000 square-foot Dental Building on its Ankeny Campus this October. The new facility will replace the existing 8,000 square-foot facility, providing a more modern learning environment and expanding the college’s ability to train future hygienists and assistants.
Enhancing Training and Technology at NICC and ICCC
Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation also provided support to NICC through a $50,000 grant to upgrade equipment in its Dental Assisting lab and on-campus clinic. The grant will help support purchase of a digital panoramic X-ray machine, simulation manikins, sterilization equipment, and handpieces that enhance learning and align training with today’s dental office standards.
Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge received $99,279 in grant funding to upgrade six of fifteen patient chairs and sterilization equipment in their Dental Hygiene Clinic. These improvements will enhance hands-on training for students and expand access to care for underserved populations within the college’s nine-county service area.
Meeting Iowa’s Dental Workforce Needs
Iowa is not alone in facing a shortage of dental hygienists and assistants. According to the American Dental Association, 90% of private practice dentists across the country find it challenging to recruit dental hygienists. The updated DMACC, NICC, and ICCC spaces will provide students with training environments that closely mirror today’s dental clinics, preparing them for the settings they will encounter after graduation. These improvements will help increase the number of qualified practitioners in Iowa and help to ease recruitment challenges for area dentists
Trained for Real-World Impact
At DMACC, students are trained for positions in general and specialty dental offices. Students work to understand the connections between oral health and overall health, gaining hands-on experience in the DMACC dental hygiene clinic. In addition to serving patients, the clinic can also be used for continuing education experiences, helping current professionals strengthen their skills to provide better service.
At NICC, the accredited Dental Assisting program has maintained a 100% job placement rate over the past five years, a testament to its quality and need. Improvements to the on-campus clinic will also expand access to care for local residents, offering students hands-on opportunities while addressing oral health needs.
Graduates of ICCC’s Dental Hygiene Program go on to careers at private dental offices, hospitals, nursing homes, and public health clinics. In these roles they will play an important role in providing comprehensive oral health care and preventive education to community members.
Delta Dental of Iowa is proud to partner with DMACC, NICC, and ICCC to expand Iowa’s dental workforce through innovative, inclusive training in facilities equipped with up-to-date technology. These critical programs have been designed to address patients’ needs while improving access to care for all Iowans.
Applications for 2026 funding open now
Are you an Iowa nonprofit or community-based initiative that could use support for programs that advance oral and overall health? Learn more and apply today!