Pima Medical Institute is launching a Dental Hygiene program at our Phoenix campus, creating more educational opportunities for students and helping address a growing need for oral health professionals across the state. Although located at the Phoenix campus, the program gives students throughout the greater Phoenix area, including those at our Mesa campus, a path to more dental education. Enrollment is now underway for the first class, which begins November 2, 2026.
The 18-month associate degree program prepares students for careers in preventive oral healthcare, including dental cleanings, patient education, and early detection of oral health issues. It is designed to strengthen the regional healthcare workforce while creating opportunities for students to pursue dental hygiene careers close to home. In addition to classroom and laboratory instruction, students will receive hands-on clinical experience through an on-site dental hygiene clinic.
The Phoenix Dental Hygiene Clinic is slated to open in early 2027. It will serve the local community by providing affordable preventive dental hygiene services delivered by students under the supervision of licensed dental professionals. These services will focus on preventive treatment, including cleanings, screenings, and patient education.
“Dental hygiene offers students the opportunity to build meaningful careers while making a lasting difference in the health of the communities they serve,” said Dr. Kimberly Peacher, DHSc, RDH, Pima Medical Institute’s Dean of Academic Innovation-Dental Hygiene. “This program is designed to give students the hands-on clinical experience they need to become skilled, compassionate dental hygienists who are prepared to meet the growing need for preventive oral healthcare.”
The Phoenix program launch comes as demand for dental hygienists continues to exceed supply across the state. According to data published by *The University of Arizona Center for Rural Health, Arizona currently meets less than 35 percent of its dental health workforce needs, leaving millions of residents in designated dental health professional shortage areas. By preparing more dental hygienists in the Phoenix metropolitan area, the program will expand access to professional healthcare career opportunities and strengthen the oral healthcare workforce serving communities throughout Arizona, including rural, Tribal, and other underserved populations.
Access to routine, affordable oral healthcare is still a significant statewide challenge, with long wait times for preventive care appointments and many residents delaying treatment because of cost and provider shortages.
“Arizona has a significant need for qualified dental hygienists, and educating more professionals is an important part of addressing that gap,” said Mark Luebke, Co-CEO, Pima Medical Institute. “Our Phoenix Dental Hygiene program allows students to gain the knowledge and clinical experience needed to enter this essential healthcare profession, while our dental hygiene clinic helps connect members of the community with important preventive oral healthcare.”
Healthcare providers nationwide are experiencing similar workforce challenges in oral healthcare. According to the **American Dental Association Health Policy Institute’s Economic Outlook and Emerging Issues in Dentistry, more than 90 percent of dental practices report difficulty recruiting dental hygienists, leading to longer wait times for preventive care appointments in many communities.
The Dental Hygiene program combines classroom instruction, hands-on laboratory training, and clinical experiences to prepare students to become competent, entry-level dental hygienists. The curriculum includes anatomy and physiology, periodontology, oral pathology, radiology, pharmacology, patient care, public health, and dental law and ethics, with an emphasis on critical thinking, evidence-based practice, and serving diverse populations. Graduates earn an Associate of Applied Science degree and are eligible to apply for the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and other examinations required for state licensure. The program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
In addition to Phoenix, Pima Medical Institute offers Dental Hygiene programs at several campus locations nationwide, including New Mexico (Albuquerque), Texas (Houston, San Antonio), and Washington State (Seattle). Each includes an on-site dental hygiene clinic that provides supervised, real-world preventive care.
The Phoenix campus offers several other healthcare educational training programs in the medical, dental, and veterinary fields, including Dental Assistant, Medical Assistant, Phlebotomy Technician, Sterile Processing Technician, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Surgical Technology, Veterinary Assistant, and Veterinary Technician. These programs support the college’s mission of preparing students for careers that serve community health needs.
Pima Medical Institute has been educating allied health care professionals for more than 50 years, with a national footprint that includes 16 campuses across the United States and 100% online programs designed to help students pursue and expand careers in health care administration and advanced bachelor’s degrees, including: RN to BSN, Physical Therapy (BSPTA); Radiologic Sciences (BSRS); Respiratory Therapy (BSRT); and a Master’s in Organizational Leadership. For more information about the new Dental Hygiene program at the Phoenix campus, visit pmi.edu/dentalhygiene. For all other programs, visit pmi.edu.
