Pima Medical Institute opens Phoenix dental hygiene program

Pima Medical Institute is launching a new Dental Hygiene program at its Phoenix campus, with the first class starting Nov. 2, 2026. The expansion adds training seats and a planned student-run clinic as Arizona faces a shortfall in dental hygienists and preventive oral care access.

Why it matters: - Arizona’s dental hygiene shortage is limiting access to preventive oral healthcare, especially in rural, Tribal and other underserved communities. - Pima Medical Institute’s Phoenix program is aimed at training more entry-level dental hygienists and adding another local pathway into a high-demand healthcare field. - A planned on-site clinic will also expand affordable preventive services for the Phoenix area.

What happened: - Pima Medical Institute is launching a Dental Hygiene program at its Phoenix campus. - Enrollment is open now for the first class, which begins Nov. 2, 2026. - The program is also intended to serve students across the greater Phoenix area, including those at the Mesa campus.

The details: - The program is an 18-month associate degree track focused on preventive oral healthcare. - Students will train in dental cleanings, patient education and early detection of oral health issues. - The curriculum includes anatomy and physiology, periodontology, oral pathology, radiology, pharmacology, patient care, public health, and dental law and ethics. - Training combines classroom instruction, laboratory work and clinical experience. - Students will gain hands-on experience through an on-site dental hygiene clinic. - The Phoenix Dental Hygiene Clinic is slated to open in early 2027. - The clinic will provide affordable preventive services under the supervision of licensed dental professionals. - Services will include cleanings, screenings and patient education. - Graduates earn an Associate of Applied Science degree. - Graduates are eligible to apply for the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and other exams required for state licensure. - The program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. - Pima Medical Institute also offers Dental Hygiene programs in Albuquerque, Houston, San Antonio and Seattle, each with on-site clinics. - The Phoenix campus also offers training in Dental Assistant, Medical Assistant, Phlebotomy Technician, Sterile Processing Technician, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Surgical Technology, Veterinary Assistant and Veterinary Technician. - Pima Medical Institute says it has educated allied healthcare professionals for more than 50 years, operates 16 campuses nationwide and offers online programs, including RN to BSN, Physical Therapy, Radiologic Sciences, Respiratory Therapy and a master’s in Organizational Leadership. - More information is available at pmi.edu/dentalhygiene and pmi.edu.

Between the lines: - Data cited from the University of Arizona Center for Rural Health says Arizona meets less than 35% of its dental health workforce needs. - The same data says millions of residents live in designated dental health professional shortage areas. - The American Dental Association Health Policy Institute says more than 90% of dental practices report difficulty recruiting dental hygienists. - Those shortages are contributing to longer wait times for preventive care appointments and more delayed treatment because of cost and provider gaps. - Mark Luebke, Pima Medical Institute co-CEO, said educating more professionals is an important part of closing Arizona’s workforce gap. - Dr. Kimberly Peacher, dean of academic innovation-dental hygiene, said the program is designed to give students hands-on clinical experience and prepare them for preventive oral healthcare careers.

What's next: - The first Phoenix cohort begins Nov. 2, 2026. - The Phoenix Dental Hygiene Clinic is expected to open in early 2027. - Pima Medical Institute will continue expanding its pipeline of dental hygiene graduates and supervised community care services.

The bottom line: - Pima Medical Institute is pairing workforce training with a student clinic to help meet Arizona’s shortage of dental hygienists and improve access to preventive oral care.