Dental Medicine Partners with EPCC
Hunt School of Dental Medicine and El Paso Community College Partner to Increase Number of Qualified Hygienists in Our Borderplex
EPCC dental hygiene students to provide dental care at the Texas Tech Dental Oral Health Clinic
On Friday, Sept. 22, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso and the Hunt School of Dental Medicine announced a transformative partnership with El Paso Community College aimed at addressing persistent challenges in dental care access, provider shortages and health inequities in our Borderplex region.
Under a new partnership, students enrolled in El Paso Community College's two-year associate degree in dental hygiene program will gain additional clinical experience by caring for patients at the Texas Tech Dental Oral Health Clinic, located on the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso campus. The EPCC program is currently at capacity and can only accept 16 students out of the over 300 applications it receives each year. Pending approval from the Commission on Dental Accreditation, the number of students admitted to the program will increase to 24 with help from the partnership with the Hunt School of Dental Medicine.
The Hunt School of Dental Medicine has allocated a dedicated space with 12 chairs within its Oral Health Clinic for use by the community college’s dental hygiene program. As part of the only dental hygiene program in West Texas, students from EPCC will have more opportunities to provide patient care services, which currently run through the Rio Grande Border Health Clinic. Should a patient have extensive dental care needs, they will be invited to become a patient of the Texas Tech Dental Oral Health Clinic.
Hunt School of Dental Medicine Dean Dr. Richard Black and EPCC President Dr. William Serrata
This collaboration comes at a time when West Texas is grappling with an acute dental provider shortage, especially among dental hygienists. Dental hygienists serve as important members of integrated dental health teams by screening for signs of oral diseases, providing teeth cleanings and educating patients about preventive care.
“In forging this partnership with El Paso Community College, we are not merely creating a program; we are investing in the long-term health and well-being of our Borderplex community,” said Richard C. Black, D.D.S., M.S., dean of the Hunt School of Dental Medicine. “The challenges of dental care access, provider shortages and health inequities are not mere statistics — they impact real people every day. This collaboration allows us to combine resources, expertise and a shared vision to support our hygiene educator partner while helping to bring an increase in these dental providers to our community. It will be an important benefit to our dental students to study and work alongside their future team members. We’re setting a new standard for community-focused oral health care, one that engages directly with the issues our residents face and strives for a more equitable future for all.”
Souraya Hajjar, Ed.D., dean of Health Career & Tech Education, Math and Science at EPCC, sees the partnership as a win-win for the schools and the community.
“El Paso Community College is committed to training health care leaders, fostering partnerships, and improving workforce opportunities for our region. This new partnership with the Texas Tech Dental Oral Health Clinic is a significant step toward enhancing dental education and enhancing overall health care in our community,” Dr. Hajjar said. "EPCC is appreciative of everyone who has been a part of establishing this important partnership."
Dental hygienist shortage in West Texas
According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas has fewer dental hygienists per capita than the national average. In our Borderplex region, this shortage is more acute, with only one dental hygienist for every 4,200 residents, compared to one for every 2,000 residents in the rest of Texas. In West Texas the shortage of dental hygienists is projected to increase by 9.7 percent between through 2030.
Another factor is the high rate of retirement among dental hygienists. In Texas, the average age of a dental hygienist is 45 years old. Many dental hygienists are retiring early due to burnout and other causes. COVID-19 saw many dental hygienists leave the profession altogether.
This shortage has several negative consequences. First, it can make it difficult for people to find dental care. Second, it can lead to longer wait times for appointments and higher dental care costs. Third, it can reduce the quality of dental care.
Nadya Feria, an El Paso student in EPCC's dental hygiene program, views her role as integral to preventive health care, a perspective that initially drew her to the field. She is eager to work at the Oral Health Clinic because of the expanded community reach it offers.
"In my role as a dental hygienist, I observe how poor oral health can lead to more serious health issues later in life," Feria said. "This new partnership will extend our services to underserved communities, allowing us to prevent future illnesses for our patients. Collaborating with students from the Hunt School of Dental Medicine will not only enhance our teamwork but also potentially inspire more individuals to pursue careers in dental hygiene."
Since it opened in 2021, the Texas Tech Dental Oral Health Clinic has rapidly become a cornerstone in addressing dental care access and health inequities in our Borderplex region. Serving as an essential hub for oral health care, the clinic has seen over 3,500 patients and provided more than 19,000 clinical service hours to underserved individuals. These figures underscore the clinic's significant role in bridging the dental care gap, particularly among our region’s diverse populations. By offering a range of essential services, from preventative screenings to complex procedures, the clinic exemplifies TTUHSC El Paso’s commitment to better the health outcomes of the community it serves.
To schedule your next dental appointment, contact the Texas Tech Dental Oral Health Clinic at 915-215-6700, or visit ttdentalcare.com.
About Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso
TTUHSC El Paso is the only health sciences center on the U.S.-Mexico border and serves 108 counties in West Texas that have been historically underserved. It’s a designated Title V Hispanic-Serving Institution, preparing the next generation of health care heroes, 48% of whom identify as Hispanic and are often first-generation students.
Established as an independent university in the Texas Tech University System in 2013, TTUHSC El Paso is celebrating 10 years as a proudly diverse and uniquely innovative destination for education and research. According to a 2022 analysis, TTUHSC El Paso contributes $634.4 million annually to our Borderplex region’s economy.
With a mission of eliminating health care barriers and creating life-changing educational opportunities for Borderplex residents, TTUHSC El Paso has graduated over 2,000 doctors, nurses and researchers over the past decade, and will add dentists to its alumni beginning in 2025. For more information, visit ttuhscepimpact.org.
About El Paso Community College
EPCC serves nearly 25,000 students and offers more than 150 degree and certificate programs. Since 1969, the college has remained focused on engaging students, growing community partnerships and fostering excellence. By creating a college-going culture and implementing innovative student success initiatives, EPCC is transforming the pathway to higher educations and building a stronger workforce for our region.
