(ABC 6 News) – Rochester Community and Technical College celebrated the grand opening of its new Dental Simulation Lab on Wednesday, September 24th.
The project is designed to expand dental education, growing RCTC’s Dental Assistant and Dental Hygiene programs. This would ensure more allied dental professionals to enter the workforce.
Another goal of the new lab is to expand dental care access in southeast Minnesota for uninsured individuals, public program recipients, and underserved populations.
In a press release, RCTC President Dr. Jeffery Boyd says the new Dental Simulation Lab “represents a significant investment in both our students and our community.”
Also in that release, RCTC’s Dental Hygiene Program Director Cherie Fritz says the lab helps students “receive personalized, hands-on training in a setting that mirrors current industry standards.”
RCTC’s new lab joins the College’s existing 18-seat Dental Hygiene clinic and lab. With the supervision of faculty dentists, dental students work with real patients to address their oral health needs.
It is also one of only three clinics in Rochester that serves Minnesota Medical Assistance, Medicaid, and MinnesotaCare patients. With the new Dental Simulation Lab, RCTC expects to serve nearly 1,900 patients annually.
The $1.57 million lab was made possible through public and private support. That includes grants from the Delta Dental Foundation, the Mayo Clinic Foundation, and more.
