North Central Michigan College (NCMC) made the first in a series of announcements for the start of a $10 million capital campaign for its planned dental hygiene program on June 18 at the new clinic site on Charlevoix Avenue in Bay Shore. Local dentists, donors, and community members attended the presentation and tour of the facility.
Funds raised during the campaign will support the clinic building, renovations, equipment purchases, and initial startup costs for the program, which is slated to begin in Fall 2028. Once launched, North Central will be the only provider of dental hygiene education north of Big Rapids.
North Central’s Board of Trustees approved the creation of the new program in December 2025 in response to the critical shortage of dental hygienists in Northern Michigan. Michigan schools graduate approximately 350 dental hygienists each year, while an estimated 545 are needed to meet demand, resulting in an annual shortage of almost 200 professionals.
“Addressing the shortage of dental hygienists requires investing in the next generation of oral healthcare professionals,” said NCMC President David Roland Finley. “Our planned dental hygiene program will help meet workforce needs while expanding access to preventive care across Northern Michigan.”
Rico Breznau is leading the development of the planned program with a focus on prevention, education, and whole-person health. Her background in clinical practice and teaching has prepared her to train a new generation of hygienists to serve Northern Michigan communities.
“Patients may wait 12 months or longer for preventive care,” Breznau said. “Open hygienist positions can go unfilled for more than a year. The delay in care can lead to more serious health issues over time.”
Breznau has led curriculum mapping and course-sequencing efforts and guided the development of policies, procedures, and program infrastructure necessary for the program’s launch. The program is currently undergoing the accreditation process and is awaiting approval from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), expected in Summer 2026, and the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), anticipated in 2027.
North Central’s Dental Hygiene Associate of Applied Science degree will be completed over two years, following the completion of pre-program requirements. The cohort-based program will accept 15 students each year, with a new cohort beginning every fall.
Fundraising for North Central Michigan College’s dental hygiene program and community clinic has received a significant boost through a $2 million matching grant opportunity toward its $10 million goal. Every dollar donated toward the project will help unlock matching funds — with an initial milestone of reaching $750,000 by September 15, doubling the impact of community support and accelerating the college’s ability to address critical workforce and healthcare needs in the region.
"The success of this project depends on community partnership," said Chelsea Platte, vice president for advancement and executive director of the NCMC Foundation. "With donor support, we can launch Northern Michigan's first dental hygiene program. This is an investment in both workforce development and community well-being."
To learn more about the vision for the dental hygiene program and community clinic, visit the college's Transforming Tomorrow webpage. Individuals and organizations interested in supporting the initiative can contact the NCMC Foundation by calling 231-439-6556 or visiting ncmich.edu/give.