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July 2026
Spotlight: Expansion at Central Lakes College Dental Program Addresses Brainerd Area Oral Health Needs
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The dental clinic at Central Lakes College in Brainerd has been busy. Students greet patients, prepare equipment, and move confidently between treatment rooms. This activity signifies a local solution to a long-standing workforce shortage in rural oral health care.
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The workforce shortage
For years, dental clinics across rural Minnesota have struggled to recruit and retain staff – especially dental hygienists, leading to longer waits for appointments and reducing access to preventive and acute care. In Brainerd, with the nearest hygiene programs more than an hour away, prospective students juggling work and family responsibilities found it difficult to travel so far to pursue the training they needed. When several clinics in the Brainerd Lakes area reported hygienist positions were remaining unfilled for more than two years, Central Lakes College began exploring ways to respond.
They already had a strong dental assistant program, a fully functioning clinic, and a faculty member who was trained as both a dental assistant and a dental hygienist—assets that provided a foundation for a local dental hygiene program.
Building the program
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Developing the program was a multi-year effort. Faculty and staff built a curriculum, aligned it with national standards, and completed the rigorous accreditation process required by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Next they recruited additional faculty and selected the program’s first students.
In August 2025, the new Dental Hygiene Program officially launched and the existing Dental Assisting Program grew from 24 to 30 students. These seemingly modest numbers create significant impact on the region—improving access to care for hundreds of residents.
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Upgrading the facilities
Central Lakes - Brainerd also invested heavily to upgrade its dental facilities. Their clinic expanded from 8 to 15 operatories, was equipped for radiography, and added a modern sterilization area. The classroom was redesigned to support larger classes and enhance hands-on learning, benefiting both programs and creatingan environment that mirrors contemporary dental practice.
A stronger student experience
For students, the changes led to a stronger and more comprehensive learning experience, reduced bottlenecks during lab sessions and gave each student more time with patients, and the space and tools they needed to develop confidence in their technical skills.
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Equally important, the programs re-emphasized patient-centered care. Students, of course, receive the technical training they need, but are also schooled in better communication, empathy, and professionalism. Through direct patient interaction, reflective assignments, and ongoing mentorship, they learn how to meet clinical expectations while providing respectful, compassionate care to peopleof all ages.
Measuring Success
The college ensures quality and continuous improvement by actively monitoring several measures of success, including academic performance, graduation and job placement rates, board exam results, patient satisfaction, and feedback from students themselves. All of which allow the faculty and administration to refine the curriculum, strengthen clinical operations, and celebrate student achievements.
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Looking ahead
The college has a clear vision for growth and are already at work on their next goals, one of which is to establish a simulation lab to enhance skill development. They also plan to hire additional faculty and continue to integrate advanced technology into the curriculum to ensure students are trained using the latest tools and techniques.
What they learned
Throughout their journey, the team learned valuable lessons:
- Engaging an experienced consultant early in the process was essential for navigating accreditation and program development
- Building partnerships with mentors and peer institutions provided guidance and practical insight.
- Strong collaboration among faculty, staff, and students helped keep the project moving forward, despite challenges.
Access to oral health care is crucial for rural Minnesotans. Central Lakes College has demonstrated how local communities can take action to address shortages in their communities. To learn more about the program, contact Katie Thalberg, CLC Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene Program director Dental Programs – Central Lakes College.
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