RCC Partners with La Clinica to Address Dental Professional Shortage

Medford, Oregon- Rogue Community College (RCC) has strengthened its partnership with healthcare provider La Clinica to enhance training opportunities for dental hygiene and dental assisting students, aimed at addressing the shortage of dental professionals in the region.

La Clinica, which has operated a dental clinic since 2000, has collaborated with RCC for over 15 years to provide hands-on learning experiences for dental assisting students. Each academic year, approximately four RCC students participate in practicums at La Clinica, where they gain practical experience in a real-world setting. This training allows students to apply classroom knowledge and prepares them for the workforce upon graduation.

Dr. Amy Fine, Chief Dental Officer at La Clinica, emphasized the importance of the partnership in both serving patients and building the local dental workforce. “This partnership is an essential part of how La Clinica builds capacity to serve the patients who need our care and helps build the dental workforce for our community,” she said. La Clinica’s East Medford Dental Clinic and Central Point clinic collectively offer 41 dental operatories, providing ample opportunity for training future dental professionals.

RCC’s Director of Dental Programs, Carmen Mons, highlighted the mutual benefits of the collaboration. “La Clinica plays a key role in training future dental professionals who will serve the region. They provide critical hands-on learning opportunities and support curriculum development, ensuring that both organizations address the growing need for dental assistants and hygienists in the region.”

The partnership aligns with efforts to address a nationwide shortage of dental professionals, as reported by the American Dental Association. Through collaborations like the one between RCC and La Clinica, graduates are prepared for well-paying, in-demand job opportunities in Jackson and Josephine counties.

La Clinica, founded in 1989 as a grassroots healthcare provider, has grown into a comprehensive organization with 30 locations offering primary care, dental services, school-based centers, and community-focused healthcare. The partnership with RCC complements La Clinica’s mission to provide affordable healthcare and supports RCC’s goal of delivering accessible education that meets local workforce needs.

RCC’s Dental Programs, located at the Health Professions Center on the Table Rock Campus in White City, offer accredited education and training for careers in dental assisting and dental hygiene. Graduates of these programs meet state and national certification requirements, entering the workforce with the skills and confidence needed for success.

For more information about RCC’s Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene programs, visit roguecc.edu/dental.