Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) is excited to announce the opening of its new Dental Simulation Lab, a project designed to expand dental education and increase access to essential oral health services in southeastern Minnesota.
The $1.57 million project was made possible through a combination of public and private support, including a $350,000 grant from the Delta Dental Foundation, a $50,000 grant from the Mayo Clinic Foundation, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Industry Sector and Innovative Classrooms funding, and federal Perkins grants.
“Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation works with dedicated partners across the state, like Rochester Community and Technical College, to grow the dental workforce and help our communities thrive. This includes equipping and supporting our future dental professionals with cutting-edge education. We’re proud to be part of this project and celebrate this progress with RCTC today,” said Stephanie Albert, President of Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation.
The primary goal of the Dental Simulation Lab is to allow for growth RCTC’s Dental Assistant and Dental Hygiene programs, ensuring more allied dental professionals enter the workforce while expanding dental care access for uninsured individuals, public program recipients, and underserved populations.
“This project represents a significant investment in both our students and our community,” said RCTC President, Dr. Jeffery Boyd. “By enhancing our training facilities and increasing clinic capacity, we can prepare more skilled dental professionals while improving oral health access for those who need it most.”
With the expansion, RCTC anticipates achieving three key outcomes:
- Enriched dental education through cutting-edge simulation technology.
- Increased allied dental workforce to meet regional and statewide needs.
- Expanded access to dental services for vulnerable populations.
“This dental simulation lab will allow students in both the dental hygiene and dental assisting programs to receive personalized, hands-on training in a setting that mirrors current industry standards. The lab not only enhances the learning experience but also expands our capacity to prepare more students for careers in oral health,” adds RCTC’s Dental Hygiene Program Director, Cherie Fritz.
RCTC Dean of Sciences and Health Professions, Jason Jadin, adds, “The launch of the new dental simulation lab marks a transformative step forward in health professions education at RCTC.”
This new lab space expands RCTC’s dental education footprint by joining the College’s existing 18-seat Dental Hygiene clinic and lab. Dental students, under the supervision of faculty dentists and practitioners, work with real patients addressing their oral health needs. As one of only three clinics in Rochester serving Minnesota Medical Assistance, Medicaid, and MinnesotaCare patients, RCTC’s Dental Clinic provides preventive and diagnostic services including digital radiographic imaging, fluoride treatments, sealants, periodontal therapy, polishing, and personalized oral hygiene instruction. Currently, the Dental Hygiene Clinic accommodates 1,500 patient visits each year for individuals of all ages and backgrounds, regardless of insurance coverage. With the new simulation clinic, the College expects to serve nearly 1,900 patients annually.
Nikkilynn Rud, RCTC Dental Assisting Instructor and Program Director states, “The Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene programs at RCTC are truly grateful to have received grant funding from the Delta Dental Foundation and the Mayo Clinic Foundation to help create a state-of-the-art dental simulation lab that will provide students with hands-on, realistic clinical experiences.”
Since their establishment in 1971 (Dental Assistant) and 1991 (Dental Hygiene), RCTC’s programs have trained thousands of professionals and remain accredited by the American Dental Association and the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). The Dental Clinic, located at RCTC’s Heintz Center across from Olmsted Community Hospital, has offered preventive care to the region for more than three decades.
