While Colorado continues to expand dental hygiene education, there remains a shortage in the field. That said, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth in dental hygiene will increase by more than 7% over the next nine years, which is much faster than the average job growth.[1] The shortage has caused an inflation in salaries as well with the 2024 median pay at $94,260 per year or $45.32 an hour nationally. According to the American Dental Association, demand for dental hygienists is about the same in the first quarter of 2025 as it was in 2022 with almost 88% of dentists surveyed saying that recruiting was “extremely challenging.”
There isn’t a quick fix to the shortage, but Colorado is making great strides in the right direction. Here is an updated look at the dental hygiene education programs in Colorado.
METRO DENVER:
Concorde Career College
111 N. Havana St.
Aurora, CO 80010
go.concorde.edu/aurora/programs/dental-hygiene
Program Director: Jennifer Stauch
The Concorde Dental Hygiene Associate of Applied Science Program is a 20-month program with a class size of 32 students. Concorde graduates either 32 or 64 students per year depending on the 20-month education cycle.
Community College of Denver
Dental Hygiene Program
1062 Akron Way, Bldg. 753
Denver, CO 80230
ccd.edu/program/dental-hygiene
Program Director: Rebecca McGruder, RDH, MPH
The Community College of Denver dental hygiene program has a class size of 40 students. CCD also has a bachelor’s completion program, which will qualify hygienists to become faculty for hygiene programs. In 2026, CCD will move to the Denver Auraria Campus.
WESTERN COLORADO:
Colorado Northwestern Community College
500 Kennedy Dr.
Rangely, CO 81648
cncc.edu/degrees/cte/dental-hygiene/index
Program Director: Tiffany Douglas, RDH, BS, MAEd/AET
The Colorado Northwestern Community College Dental Hygiene Program has a class size of 26 students. The college also has a hygiene bachelor’s completion program.
Colorado Mountain College
150 Miller Ranch Rd.
Edwards, CO 81632
coloradomtn.edu/programs/dental-hygiene
Program Director: Laura Jacob, EdD, RDH
The Colorado Mountain College Associate of Applied Science in dental hygiene program’s first class started in July 2024 and will graduate in May 2026. The class size is 10 students. The college strives to admit local-area students to serve the mountain communities.
NORTHERN COLORADO:
Front Range Community College
Larimer Campus
4616 S. Shields
Fort Collins, CO 80526
frontrange.edu/programs-courses/program-list/dental/index.html
Program Director: Nancy Sherrill, RDH, MSDH
The Front Range Community College dental hygiene program launched in the fall of 2025. The first class of 24 students will graduate in May of 2027.
SOUTHERN COLORADO:
Pueblo Community College
900 W. Orman Ave.
Pueblo, CO 81004
pueblocc.edu/programs/deh
Program Director: Linda Blasi, RDH, BS, MS
The Pueblo Community College dental hygiene program has a class size of 26 students. PCC also has a hygiene bachelor’s completion program.
Pikes Peak State College
5675 S. Academy Blvd.
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
pikespeak.edu/programs/dental/dental-hygiene/index.php
Program Director: Ewa Posorski, RDH, BS, MS
Pikes Peak Community College dental hygiene program’s first class started in the fall of 2025. The first class of 30 students will graduate in May of 2027.
Except for Concorde Career College, all hygiene programs in Colorado graduate students in May. That said, most students will have secured an employment opportunity by April before they graduate.
Just over 100 Colorado dental hygiene students will graduate in May of 2026 and over 200 students are expected to graduate in May of 2027.
Tips to Hire a Graduating Dental Hygienist
- Establish a good relationship with nearby hygiene schools. Consider supporting the school as a volunteer (if needed) or as a donor. Stay on the radar.
- Be aware of graduation dates to recruit accordingly.
- Attend job fairs hosted by the school. Consider getting a table or booth.
- Post opportunities on the school’s job board.
- When posting a job opening, make your opportunity stand out by listing office hours, benefits, intangible perks and qualities that make your practice different.
Tips to Retain Workforce:
- Offer and allow for flexibility in employees’ schedules.
- Eliminate toxic environments in the workplace.
- Continue to hone your skills as a leader. There is always room for improvement.
- Reimburse employees for high-quality CE of their choice, rather than always handpicking courses for them.
- Offer medical insurance or a reimbursement stipend.
- Read the Colorado Dental Practice Act to understand the dental hygiene scope of practice and utilize hygienists to the top of their scope.
[1] Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024-2034 projected job demand https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-hygienists.htm Projections are national. Local job market demand may vary.
