As one of Virginia’s only two dental assistant programs halts enrollment, concerns about the state’s oral healthcare workforce are mounting.
Polly Raible, executive director of the Delta Dental of Virginia Foundation, which funds initiatives to expand oral health access across the state, said shortages of dental hygienists and assistants have been a persistent challenge.
“When I took over five years ago, federally qualified health centers and free clinics reported serious staffing gaps,” Raible said. The foundation partnered with the Virginia Community College System to investigate where the pipeline of dental professionals was slowing down.
Their study revealed stark limitations: the state offers only 150 seats in oral health programs, including 80 in dental hygiene through community colleges. High operational costs—driven by the need for clinical faculty, expensive equipment, and strict accreditation requirements mandating a 5-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio—have hindered program growth. Despite similar tuition fees to other programs, dental programs are far more expensive to operate.
Over the past year, the foundation presented its findings to community colleges and offered funding to expand programs and increase enrollment. Yet financial pressures persist. Mountain Empire Community College has paused its dental assistant program while Virginia Peninsula Community College closed its program entirely.
“We’re going backwards when we need to be moving forward,” Raible said.
To prevent further closures, the foundation established a temporary public-private partnership. However, Raible emphasized that a long-term solution requires legislative action. The foundation is advocating for a funding formula through the General Assembly to better reflect the true costs of oral health programs.
Senator Todd Pillion, a dentist representing Southwest Virginia, introduced a budget amendment seeking $3 million for this fund. In the latest Senate budget, the request was reduced to $1 million, with a matching contribution expected from the Delta Dental Foundation.
“In Virginia, we have a workforce shortage in dentistry,” Pillion said. “We want to support existing community college programs and expand them so more people can enter the dental workforce and access the care they deserve.”
Currently, Virginia faces a significant deficit of dental hygienists. Raible noted that student interest far exceeds available spots, with seven times as many applicants as there are seats. She highlighted the median salary of dental hygienists—$98,000—as a strong incentive for students and their families.
“That’s why we’re investing,” Raible said. “It’s good for Virginians’ economic opportunities, oral health, and overall wellbeing. It’s a win-win.”
