CCRI and Delta Dental of Rhode Island Partner to Strengthen Dental Workforce for Rhode Island’s Future

05/20/2025

A partnership between the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) and Delta Dental of Rhode Island (DDRI) is building a pipeline of highly trained, workforce-ready dental hygienists to respond to a nationwide demand for dental hygienists and lay the groundwork for a stronger, more sustainable oral healthcare system in Rhode Island.

Launched in 2021, the CCRI–Delta Dental partnership addresses the growing need for skilled dental professionals through targeted investments in education, facilities, and student support. At the heart of the collaboration is the Delta Dental of Rhode Island Scholarship, which has provided financial assistance to 30 Dental Hygiene students over the last three years. Recipients of the DDRI Scholarship must commit to working in Rhode Island for at least one year after graduation, ensuring that the state’s homegrown talent stays in the local workforce.

A recent survey of past scholarship recipients found that 100 percent plan to continue working in Rhode Island, underscoring the program’s long-term impact on the state’s oral health workforce.

“Together with Delta Dental of Rhode Island, we are developing the next generation of dental professionals to serve Rhode Island with skill, compassion, and excellence,” said CCRI Interim President Rosemary A. Costigan, Ph.D., RN. “This partnership is about investing in talent—ensuring that the very best and brightest dental hygienists are prepared to care for our communities and contribute to a stronger, healthier state.”

“We are proud to partner with CCRI to train and retain the next generation of talented, passionate dental hygienists,” said Joseph R. Perroni, President and CEO of Delta Dental of Rhode Island. “By expanding opportunities and enrollment in oral health care programs, we’re helping to ensure that all students have access to the education and resources they need to succeed right here in Rhode Island. We congratulate this year’s graduates and remain committed to working with CCRI to support the growth of our local oral health care workforce.”

The strength of this partnership was on display today at CCRI’s annual Dental Hygiene Pinning Ceremony, held at the college’s Flanagan Campus in Lincoln. The ceremony marked the transition of 22 graduates into the professional field of dental hygiene. Together, this graduating class provided nearly 2,000 procedures to more than 450 patients during their eight-week externships—delivering over $108,000 in preventive dental care to the community.

As part of the celebration, 10 members of the graduating class were recognized as Delta Dental of Rhode Island Scholarship recipients, honored for their academic achievement, professionalism, and commitment to improving oral health outcomes in Rhode Island.

The partnership has also transformed the student learning experience and helped enable a 20 percent increase in enrollment in CCRI’s Dental Hygiene Program. The Delta Dental of Rhode Island Scholarship initiative is part of a partnership between Delta Dental and CCRI that dates back more than a decade. Delta Dental of Rhode Island recently provided funding to help CCRI renovate its on-campus Dental Hygiene Clinic with new, state-of-the-art equipment. Located on CCRI’s Lincoln campus, the clinic serves as a hands-on training facility for CCRI students while also providing free oral health services for more than 1,000 Rhode Islanders every year.

In 2024, with $350,000 in support from Delta Dental, CCRI completed a full renovation of its Dental Hygiene Clinic at the college’s Flanagan Campus. Outfitted with industry-standard equipment, the state-of-the-art facility now provides hands-on training for students and free preventive care for more than 1,000 underserved Rhode Islanders annually.

“Delta Dental has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to creating innovative ideas to support our students and create a talent pipeline to meet the increasing workforce need for Rhode Island’s dental healthcare providers,” said Julie A. Galleshaw, Professor in CCRI's Dental Healt Program. “Their visionary thinking helped create a partnership that has had a profound impact on our students through the creation of the Delta Dental Scholarship.”

“Our graduates have always been well-prepared to enter the workforce,” added Janice Schmitz, Chair and Program Director of CCRI’s Dental Hygiene Program. “But now, with Delta Dental’s support, they are even more equipped to meet the evolving demands of the dental health profession and provide critical care to our community.”

As the national oral health system continues to confront a shortage of dental professionals, CCRI and Delta Dental’s collaboration stands as a statewide model for how higher education and industry can join forces to strengthen the workforce, expand access to care, and build healthier communities.

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