As work continues on the renovation of Grundy Hall, the first phase of the project is already open and serving the community.
The new $3.79 million Dental Clinic opened in August, creating a state-of-the-art facility to serve not just as an active learning lab, but a community resource.
“As one of only six dental hygiene programs in Iowa, and one of four providing preventive and periodontal care in an on-site community college-based clinic, this new clinic will ensure more students have access to hands-on training with the latest dental technology,” said Dr. Emily Boge, dental administrative chair at Hawkeye Community College. “The expansion of our dental clinic will also enable us to provide more patients with access to top-quality oral health care in an integrated health setting.”
Hawkeye’s Dental Clinic has served the Cedar Valley for 52 years, with an average of 800 community patients receiving care annually. The new clinic will provide improved technology, increased patient security, and increased capacity to train more students.
“Our programs now have the ability to increase student capacity,” Boge said. “In the academic year 2023-2024, we will be accepting 25 students to Dental Hygiene instead of 20. Our Dental Assisting numbers will remain at 24 for the time being, with considerations to expand in the coming years.”
The renovation was funded through the 2015 bond referendum that was overwhelmingly approved by voters in Hawkeye’s 10-county service area. The Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation also provided a matching grant of up to $250,000 to help support costs associated with the renovation, expansion, and purchase of dental equipment
“We could not have accomplished this task without significant support from the contractors, the administration, and the dental community,” Boge said. “Specifically, Garret Hufford, Blake Harms, and Gavin Schram from Henry Schein Dental have been instrumental in the design and procurement efforts
The second phase of the $21 million Grundy Hall renovation is slated for completion in fall 2023, and will bring all of Hawkeye’s health sciences programs under one roof, with expanded laboratory and simulation spaces, a heated ambulance bay, and increased access to industry-relevant technology and equipment
For more information about the Hawkeye Dental Clinic, visit www.hawkeyecollege.edu/connect-clinic
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