Anne Arundel Community College is launching a dental hygiene program, with the first group of students set to start in the fall, in an effort to fill a growing demand for oral health professionals in the area.

“The college and I believe that students can join us in making a difference by learning how to provide comprehensive dental hygiene care and educating individuals and communities about the critical connection between oral health and overall well-being,” said Interim Director of Dental Education M. Patel, who is a registered dental hygienist.

Students who complete the two-year program receive an Associate of Applied Science degree.

This is the latest effort by the college to tailor programs to occupations experiencing labor shortages.

The college has also expanded its welding lab and is collaborating with Washington-Baltimore Medical Center.

Dental hygiene jobs are projected to grow 9% from 2023 to 2033, which translates to roughly 16,400 openings nationwide each year on average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The median national average salary for dental hygienists is $87,530; in Anne Arundel County the median average is $110,000 per year.

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