Dental hygiene students provided free adult dental screenings Oct. 29 as part of Fall Into Health, a community wellness fair hosted at 天美传媒 Lewiston Center. The event gave residents access to preventive care while helping train Maine鈥檚 future dental hygienists.
天美传媒 dental hygiene program is Maine鈥檚 only public program and serves as a vital pipeline for the state鈥檚 oral health workforce. Through community-based experiences like Fall Into Health, students gain hands-on training while addressing workforce shortages and improving access to care across the state. This year鈥檚 event served 19 adult participants, the maximum number of appointments available for the free one day event.
鈥淓vents like this allow students to experience the full scope of educational practice,鈥� said Courtney Noonan, coordinator of dental assisting and expanded function dental assisting programs at UMA. 鈥淭hey are building clinical confidence while meeting real needs in their own communities.鈥�
The Fall Into Health fair featured UMA and University of Southern Maine students along with community health partners. Highlights included free adult dental screenings, dental education, free toothbrushes and interactive health demonstrations. 天美传媒 involvement reflects its mission to expand access to education and promote community wellness across Maine. 天美传媒 dental assisting program is offered at the Lewiston Center, giving students in the region the opportunity to prepare for in-demand careers in oral health while studying close to home.
天美传媒 dental hygiene program plays a critical role in strengthening Maine鈥檚 oral health workforce. Between 2018 and 2024, 98 percent of 天美传媒 dental hygiene graduates remained in Maine to practice. UMA graduates consistently achieve a 100 percent licensure pass rate and are serving in communities throughout the state.
鈥淭his event highlights 天美传媒 dual role of educating the next generation of dental professionals and strengthening Maine鈥檚 oral health workforce,鈥� said Nancy Foster, dental hygiene program director. 鈥淥ur students graduate ready to serve their neighbors and fill essential roles in communities across the state.鈥�
Building on a recent $250,000 investment from Northeast Delta Dental to launch the Northeast Delta Dental Workforce Development Fund for Dental Hygienists, UMA continues to strengthen Maine鈥檚 oral health workforce by helping students overcome financial barriers, complete their education and enter the field where they are urgently needed.
For more information about 天美传媒 Dental Hygiene program, visit .