CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) — Parkland College has been awarded a significant federal grant of over $3 million to expand its dental hygiene program, providing more opportunities for students and the community alike. The funding will help address the growing demand for dental hygienists, not just in Illinois but across the nation.

The grant will allow Parkland’s dental hygiene program to increase its enrollment from 36 to 50 students per year, a much-needed expansion in response to the rising shortage of dental professionals. This increase will also enable the program to serve more local patients, with an expected growth in the number of individuals receiving care at the college’s dental clinic. The program already serves hundreds of patients annually, with a focus on low-income individuals, children, and senior citizens, offering services at little or no cost.

Program Director Laura Hettinger emphasized that this investment would have a lasting impact on the community, providing a new generation of dental hygienists who will improve health outcomes and fill a vital workforce need. The college is committed to making dental care more accessible to the underserved, while also providing students with hands-on experience and real-world training.