Parkland College receives $3.5M Congressional Directives grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration

Parkland College dental clinic expansion - address: Parkland College, 2400 w. Bradley ave., champaign il 61821-1806 project director: nancy sutton, ed.d. Contact phone number: 217-353-2113 email: [email protected] website: https://www.parkland.edu/main/academics/departments/health-professions/dental-hygiene-clinic Parkland College requests $3,500,000 in HRSA community project funding to construct a new dental clinic and training facility that will expand access to affordable dental care and strengthen the dental workforce in Illinois. The project will address a critical shortage of dental hygienists, particularly in rural and underserved communities, while increasing the availability of low-cost preventive dental services for individuals with limited access to care. The new facility will expand parkland’s dental hygiene program from 36 to 50 students annually, helping meet workforce demand and reducing the number of qualified applicants currently turned away due to space limitations. The clinic provides the hands-on clinical training required for students to complete the dental hygiene program and enter the workforce. The expanded clinic will increase annual patient capacity by approximately 40 percent, from about 400 to more than 550 community members each year. Services include oral examinations, oral cancer screenings, oral hygiene instruction, periodontal disease evaluations, x-rays, sealants, care of restorations, and fluoride applications. The clinic serves residents throughout Illinois and offers low-cost screenings as well as free services for children, older adults, and individuals receiving public assistance. The project will strengthen existing partnerships with regional hospitals, public health departments, and community organizations to expand outreach and connect more residents to preventive dental care. Upon completion, the facility will be sustained through Parkland College institutional funding, including tuition and fees, local tax revenue, and state allocations, with no additional federal funding required.