Big Sandy Community & Technical College Opens East Kentucky Oral Health Training Center, Mayo Campus

Big Sandy Community & Technical College announces the grand opening of its new state-of-the-art dental facility, the East Kentucky Oral Health Training Center (EKOHTC). A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on October 7, 2022. It is a testament to determination, fortitude, and BSCTC’s commitment to serving the community.

The Center will be the new home for the College's Dental Assisting/Dental Hygiene Integrated Program (DA/DH program) certificate, diploma, and A.A.S. degree programs, and the Community Dental Health Coordinator (CDHC) certificate. 

EKOHTC will become a site for Central Regional Dental Testing Service (CRDTS) and a hub for training the region's oral health professionals (incumbent workers and small businesses) in continuing education, updated technology, telehealth and emerging oral health treatment.

Delta Dental and Workforce Opportunities (WORC): A Grant Initiative for the Appalachian Region through the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration generously funded the creation of EKOHTC. 

Dr. Jill Keaton, BSCTC’s Program Coordinator of Dental Hygiene/Dental Assisting stated, “We are proud to serve eastern Kentucky by providing oral healthcare while educating future dental professionals. We are enthusiastic about the positive impact we will have on our region.”

The Center will increase the region's capacity to provide a reliable pipeline of trained oral health professionals to mitigate the oral health disparities in our communities. 

“The opening of our new dental clinic signifies the power of partnerships to accomplish milestones. As the community college, we strive to be purveyors of hope for the people of our region; these are the investments we seek,” stated BSCTC President Telly Sellars. 

EKOHTC features twenty (20) operatories and the latest technological advances in oral health/dental care. BSCTC is committed to serving 200 incumbent workers through continuing education and workforce training customized for oral health professionals in the region. 

Continuing education and workforce training will focus on coronal polishing and radiology certifications for dental assistants, laser debridement, and local anesthesia for dental hygienists, telemedicine, and others to support and grow the oral health/dental care workforce in the region. 

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Big Sandy Community & Technical College (BSCTC) provides accessible quality educational opportunities for student success, promotes economic growth, and enhances its constituents' quality of life. BSCTC is recognized as the right choice for higher education; academic achievement; cultural enrichment; student success; and community, workforce and economic development.  With campuses in Prestonsburg, Paintsville, Hager Hill, and Pikeville, BSCTC offers 30 programs and more than 200 credentials. Visit www.bigsandy.kctcs.edu to learn more.