CHARLOTTETOWN — Holland College unveiled a newly renovated dental clinic for its dental assisting program at a Friday open house, announcing upgrades intended to bring training in line with modern practice.
The renovations replace equipment that the college said was about 30 years old and add new technology across the clinic. Craig Dauphinee, the college’s executive director of programs, called the work “a huge step forward for our quality of education” and said the improvements represent a major infrastructure and technological boost.
Federal funding through the Oral Health Access Fund — more than $1.7 million spread over three years — made the overhaul possible, Dauphinee said.
He added the investment will allow the college to update other labs and student spaces, and could help attract new students to Prince Edward Island and encourage graduates to remain on the Island after completing their training.
The program will also expand training in culturally appropriate care. Dauphinee said the college intends to work with local Indigenous and newcomer communities to learn about their experiences with dental care and to incorporate culturally competent practices into the curriculum.
Students welcomed the changes. “We’ll be fully equipped for the modern dental offices that we’ll be working in after we graduate,” said Anita Oakes, a dental assisting student, noting the program’s strong hands-on focus.
The Dental Association of P.E.I. praised the upgrades. Mike Connolly, the association’s CEO, said better-equipped training will produce better-prepared graduates and called the renovated clinic “a top-notch” asset that should attract students and provide dentists with more experienced assistants.
The college said the clinic’s improvements aim to align teaching with contemporary clinical standards and support broader efforts to improve oral health access and culturally sensitive care on the Island.