Truckee Meadows Community College announced on May 28 the launch of a new associate of science degree in Public Health with a Pre-Dental Hygiene track, set to begin in fall 2026. The program is designed to provide students with early exposure to dental hygiene coursework and support those interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene.
The new pathway allows students to take foundational public health courses and explore dental hygiene before applying to TMCC’s limited-entry Dental Hygiene program, which admits only 18 students each year. The curriculum includes two introductory public health classes and prepares students for various healthcare careers if they choose not to continue into dental hygiene. Lori McDonald, Director of Dental Hygiene, said, “The goal of this course is to help students make informed career decisions that align with their interests and goals, reducing the risk of investing time and resources only to find that dental hygiene may not be the best fit.”
Students completing the program will earn an Associate of Science in Public Health that is fully transferable to four-year institutions. The coursework provides general education alongside specialized public health content. A key course highlighted is Dental Hygiene 100: Introduction to Dental Hygiene, which offers an overview of the profession; while not currently required for the degree track, it will become mandatory for clinical program applicants starting in 2027.
Dental hygienists are described as essential healthcare professionals who provide preventive oral care and collaborate with other medical staff. National demand remains high for these professionals due to job growth projections between 7% and 9% over the next decade, competitive wages—median annual pay at $94,260—and ongoing shortages reported by more than 60% of dentists seeking qualified hygienists.
The two-year program is structured across four semesters with balanced workloads each term. TMCC also hosts regular information nights for prospective students interested in learning about both the new degree track and existing programs. Truckee Meadows Community College serves nearly 20,000 students annually through credit and non-credit programs at multiple locations; it operates across four educational sites and more than twenty community locations, contributes over $678 million annually to the regional economy, retains ninety-five percent of graduates within Nevada, aims to offer accessible educational opportunities that address community needs, and has been led by Dr. Jeffrey Alexander as its president, according to the official website.
