Bulletin of Dental Education Article

Taft College’s Dental Hygiene Program continues to expand its reach and impact through both academic innovation and philanthropic partnership. Two milestones—the establishment of a new Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene Administration (B.S.D.H.A.) degree and a $325,000 grant from the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation—mark significant progress in the College’s mission to advance oral health education and workforce development across California.

Expanding Pathways for Dental Hygiene Professionals
Launched for fall semester of 2024, the B.S.D.H.A. degree at Taft College represents a critical evolution in professional dental hygiene education. Building upon the College’s well-established associate degree program, this upper-division pathway responds to the growing need for leadership, education and administrative expertise within the oral health sector. The program is fully online, ensuring accessibility for working professionals throughout the state. The first graduating class will finish in the spring semester of 2026.

Designed for licensed registered dental hygienists (RDHs), the two-year B.S.D.H.A. curriculum integrates interdisciplinary coursework in public health, business administration, advocacy and education. The emphasis on leadership and systems-level thinking prepares graduates to assume roles beyond the clinical setting—whether in community health organizations, educational institutions, corporate environments or policy advocacy. By elevating the professional trajectory of RDHs, the program contributes to a more equitable and sustainable oral health workforce pipeline.

Delta Dental Foundation Partnership Strengthens Access and Sustainability
The program’s forward momentum is further supported by the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation’s $325,000 Oral Health Education grant, awarded in late 2024 to the Taft College Foundation. Of this total, $25,000 is designated for student scholarships, helping offset educational costs for emerging dental hygiene professionals. The remaining $300,000 has been invested in an endowment to ensure long-term financial sustainability for the dental hygiene program.

The grant aligns with Delta Dental’s commitment to promoting oral health education and community well-being. It also provides a framework for potential volunteer engagement by Delta Dental employees, fostering collaboration between industry professionals and students. This partnership exemplifies how higher education and corporate philanthropy can intersect to address workforce shortages and improve access to care.

Building a Future-ready Oral Health Workforce
Together, the launch of the B.S.D.H.A. program and the Delta Dental Foundation’s grant underscore Taft College’s dual commitment to academic excellence and community service. By creating new educational pathways and ensuring financial support for future hygienists, the college continues to play a leading role in shaping the oral health landscape of California.

Through these initiatives, Taft College not only empowers individual professionals but also strengthens the broader infrastructure of dental hygiene education, ensuring that tomorrow’s oral health leaders are as skilled in management, education and advocacy as they are in clinical care.

Courtesy of Taft College Dental Hygiene Program

Published on January 14, 2026