Rogue Community College-La Clinica Collaboration Seeks To Solve Dental Staff Shortage
MEDFORD, Ore. — To enhance training opportunities for dental hygienists and assistants, Rogue Community College (RCC) has escalated its partnership with healthcare provider La Clinica. The move is geared towards addressing the shortage of dental professionals in the region.
Dental Professional Shortage
Following the recent report by the American Dental Association of a nationwide shortage of dental professionals, RCC and La Clina have indicated that they plan to collaborate on providing opportunities for students to graduate and then move on to well-paying, in-demand job opportunities in Jackson and Josephine counties.
Carmen Mons, Director of RCC’s Dental Programs, pointed out the mutual benefits of the partnership. Mons said that La Clinica plays a key role in training future dental professionals who will serve the region by providing crucial hands-on learning opportunities and supporting curriculum development.
In this way, the partnership addresses the growing need for dental assistants and hygienists in the region.
RCC & La Clinica Partnership
Operating a dental clinic since 2000, La Clinica has partnered with RCC for more than 15 years. The partnership gives dental assisting students a hands-on learning experience. Around four RCC students participate in practicums at La Clina every academic year.
In this way, they gain practical experience in a real-world setting. The hands-on training enables students to apply their classroom knowledge and prepares them for the workforce after graduation.
Founded in 1989 as a grassroots healthcare provider, La Clinica now has 30 locations offering primary care, dental services, school-based centers, and community-focused healthcare.
The Chief Dental Officer at La Clinica, Dr. Amy Fine, highlighted that the partnership was important in serving patients and building the local dental workforce. La Clinica’s Central Point and East Medford Dental Clinic offer 41 dental operatories respectively, giving ample opportunity for training to future dental professionals.
Fine confirmed that the partnership with RCC is key to serving the patients who need their care while helping to build the dental workforce for the community,
Located at the Health Professions Center on the Table Rock Campus in White City, RCC’s Dental Programs offer accredited education and training for careers in dental assisting and dental hygiene.
On graduating, their students enter the workforce with the skills and confidence they need to succeed, and with qualifications that meet state and national certification requirements.
La Clinica’s mission to provide affordable healthcare complements RCC’s goal of delivering accessible education to meet local workforce needs. Information about RCC’s Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene programs is available on their website.