Rochester Community and Technical College’s (RCTC) Dental Assistant and Dental Hygiene programs were recently recognized with the Minnesota State Excellence in Curriculum Programming Award at the Academic and Student Affairs (ASA) Fall Leadership Conference.
The award celebrates academic programs that demonstrate exceptional student outcomes, strong demand, and innovative practices that prepare graduates for success in today’s workforce. RCTC’s programs exemplify these qualities with 100% job placement rates, consistently high enrollments, and graduates who are practice-ready and deeply engaged in community service.
“This award recognizes the dedication of our faculty, the innovation embedded in our curriculum, and the success of our students both in the classroom and beyond,” said Jason Jadin, RCTC ‘s Dean of Sciences and Health Professions.“ From integrating cutting-edge technology to fostering meaningful faculty-student engagement, our programs exemplify excellence in preparing graduates for impactful careers and continued academic achievement.”
Transforming Education Through Innovation
The recognition highlights the cross-campus team behind the “Dental Simulation to Service” initiative, which brought to life RCTC’s new $1.57 million dental simulation lab. The facility features 24 A-dec simulation stations, advanced video technology, and emerging AI tools, ensuring students master advanced procedures in a risk-free environment before entering modern, technology-driven dental workplaces.
RCTC’s Dental Assisting Program is honored to receive the Excellence in Curriculum Award, recognizing our commitment to innovation in education,” states RCTC Dental Assisting Program Director, Nikkilynn Rud, CDA, LDA, BAS. “This award highlights the program’s use of simulation-based learning, which prepares students for success in the dental profession.”
Outstanding Graduate Outcomes
- Employment: Every graduate secures positions in clinics, hospitals, or community health centers, addressing critical workforce gaps in rural and underserved areas.
- Board Exams: Students consistently outperform national averages:
- 100% pass rate – Dental Hygiene National Board Exam (vs. 89% nationally)
- 100% pass rate – Dental Assistant General Chairside Assisting Exam (vs. 74% nationally)
- 95% pass rate – Dental Assistant Infection Control Exam (vs. 73% nationally)
- 95% pass rate – Dental Assistant Radiation Health and Safety Exam (vs. 66% nationally)
- Recognition: RCTC’s Dental Assistant program was ranked #2 in Minnesota for Dental Support Services associate degrees in 2022.
Community Engagement & Equity
Faculty provide close mentoring through clinical supervision and community placements. Students contribute hundreds of hours annually to free or low-cost care, partnering with over 30 dental providers across eight counties and participating in more than 50 outreach initiatives.
With over 65% first-generation students, 56% Pell-eligible, and nearly one-third identifying as BIPOC, the programs actively recruit underrepresented students and integrate diversity-focused scenarios into training. The redesigned curriculum will expand patient care by 400 annually, with one-third of patients being immigrants, refugees, or low-income families.
Securing Support & Partnerships
Collaboration is central to the success of RCTC’s Dental Assistant and Dental Hygiene programs. Advisory boards of dentists, hygienists, and community leaders ensure alignment with workforce needs.
The nationally recognized Winchester Wellness model integrates dental hygiene students with peers in nursing, public health, speech-language pathology, and social work to deliver holistic care in clinical and community settings.
“This recognition is a reflection of the collaboration, innovation, and passion our faculty bring to teaching every day, ensuring our dental hygiene students are well prepared to serve their communities,” said Cherie Fritz, RDH, MSDH, RCTC’s Dental Hygiene Program Director. “We are honored to have received this award.”
The programs have attracted more than $550,000 in external funding, including $350,000 from the Delta Dental Foundation, $157,000 from the Perkins V grant, and $50,000 from the Mayo Clinic Foundation. A recent proposal to the Minnesota Department of Health aims to expand the Winchester Wellness model, an interdisciplinary partnership with Winona State University, to include dental assisting students.
For more information about RCTC’s Dental Assistant and Dental Hygiene Excellence in Curriculum Award or about the RCTC’s dental programs, contact RCTC Dean of Sciences & Health Professions, Jason Jadin, at 507-285-7299 or email jason.jadin@rctc.edu.