KENNEWICK, WA — A new $3.7 million dental training clinic is set to open in the Tri-Cities by mid-2026, marking a significant step forward in both dental education and community healthcare access.
The 18,111-square-foot facility broke ground on June 17 near the Miramar Health Center, located at 6351 W. Rio Grande Ave. in Kennewick. The project is a partnership between the Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic and Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU).
Construction is scheduled to finish by April 2026, with the clinic expected to welcome patients by June 2026.
The clinic will initially host 12 dental students as part of a four-year program through PNWU’s newly launched School of Dental Medicine, based in Yakima. After completing their first year of academic training, students will move into clinical rotations at one of three training sites in Kennewick, Yakima, or Tacoma.
“This model is unique, not just in Washington, but nationally,” said Dr. Fotinos Panagakos, dean of PNWU’s School of Dental Medicine. “We’re placing students where they’re needed most—right in the communities that face care shortages.”
The Kennewick facility will eventually reach full training capacity, with 36 students rotating through after three years. PNWU will oversee student education, while Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic will provide the physical infrastructure and clinical staff to operate the site.
Beyond education, the clinic will expand local access to dental care. Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic, which already delivers services in the region, will use the new facility to reach more patients.
“This clinic provides hands-on training for students while delivering essential care to people who might otherwise go without,” said Dr. Veronica Hooper, chief health officer for the Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic.
The idea for the training partnership dates back to 2017, according to Glen Davis, the clinic’s chief operations officer. Now, years of planning are taking shape at a time when the need for dental care is urgent.
According to the Rural Health Information Hub, 31 of Washington’s 39 counties are designated as areas with a shortage of dental health providers. Both Benton and Franklin counties—home to the Tri-Cities—are included on that list.
“This facility will help build a pipeline of local dental professionals who reflect and serve the communities they come from,” Hooper said.
Robbyn Wacker, interim president of PNWU, emphasized that the project aligns with both organizations’ missions: “We are community partners working to address health disparities, support personal growth, and meet the needs of underserved populations.”