Colorado Mesa University Granted $65,000 from Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation for Oral Health Career Awareness Program
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — CMU is excited to announce that it has been awarded a $65,000 grant from Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation to support oral health career awareness on the Western Slope. Deemed a Dental Health Professional Shortage Area (DHPSA) by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Grand Junction and its neighboring counties are what is considered a dental health desert, meaning recruitment and retention of trained oral hygiene professionals is below state and national averages.
To help improve overall awareness of oral health career opportunities, CMU Tech, through The Community Education Center (CEC), will be using these grant funds to support several initiatives and community learning opportunities, focusing specifically on serving underserved populations, including low-income, first-generation college students and rural communities.
The newly funded project will focus on increasing awareness of oral health careers among youth and adult learners in Delta, Mesa, Montrose and Gunnison counties — communities that face ongoing shortages in dental health care training opportunities. The region’s nearest dental hygienist training program is located more than 90 miles from Grand Junction, which has created significant barriers for residents seeking training while they are in school or looking to upskill outside standard work hours.
The main goal of these grant funds is to increase awareness about oral health careers to support filling the DHPSA gap. To do so, through the CEC, CMU Tech will host interactive career exploration events for middle and high school students. Activities will include hands-on demonstrations with dental tools, career panels with dental professionals, job shadowing opportunities at clinics, classroom presentations and participation in school career fairs. In addition, this summer, CEC will provide summer camps that will introduce middle and high school students to health careers, including oral health fields, again creating hands-on learning opportunities for young adults while they are in the career exploration phase.
CMU Tech was selected as a recipient of grant funding from Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation due to its ability to meet the community where it’s at, providing services that are most relevant to its community members.
“CMU and CMU Tech exemplify the kind of higher education partnership we look for: one that pairs academic innovation with a deep understanding of community needs,” said D.J. Close, executive director of Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation. “By expanding education and training opportunities in a Dental Health Professional Shortage Area, this work helps build the next generation of oral health professionals, especially among students from underserved communities. A workforce that reflects the population it serves is essential to expanding access to care, making this grant a clear extension of our access initiative.”
The project will be carried out in collaboration with regional education and community partners, including Mesa County Valley School District 51, Montrose County School District RE-1J, Gunnison Watershed School District, Juntos por Gunnison, Prime Health+ and Early Learning Ventures.
“We are excited that the new program at CMU Tech will provide access to more individuals seeking a career in the oral health care field. Early Learning Ventures supports that families have accessibility to oral health care for all families,” said Karen Melott, Mesa/Garfield coordinator for Early Learning Ventures.
By increasing awareness of oral health professions and highlighting training opportunities available locally, the project seeks to create awareness of accessible career pathways while helping meet the region’s demand for dental professionals. The grant will support programming throughout 2026 and will further CMU’s mission to increase the higher education attainment rate on the Western Slope.
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About Delta Dental of Colorado Delta Dental of Colorado is a nonprofit dental benefits company with a mission to improve the oral health of the communities it serves. The nonprofit serves nearly 1.8 million members, providing them the ability to use and manage their dental benefits easily. Through its robust plans, large dentist network, and expert customer service, the nonprofit makes dental care accessible, affordable, and simple, leading to a healthier smile and life. For more information, visit deltadentalco.com.
About Colorado Mesa University Colorado Mesa University is a Human Scale University that serves as a model of the world we want to create — a world where people aspire to love, extend dignity, choose courage, demonstrate humility, develop resilience, celebrate curiosity and use power for good. At CMU, you can pursue a traditional four-year degree, master's or doctorate, or an associate degree or certificate through CMU Tech. To learn more, visit coloradomesa.edu.