College of Western Idaho (CWI) has received a significant $1.5 million investment from Delta Dental of Idaho, delivering a significant investment in Idaho's oral health workforce by supporting the College’s efforts to establish a permanent Health and Science Building.
The grant underscores Delta Dental of Idaho's 53-year legacy of advancing oral health care across the state, further strengthening its commitment to ensuring Idahoans have access to exceptional oral health care providers.
"It's essential to have well-trained dental hygienists and assistants entering the oral health workforce, and CWI's plans for their program are exceptional," said Senior Director of Community Outreach and Oral Health for Delta Dental of Idaho, Heather Brown.
Delta Dental of Idaho's financial support will help fund state-of-the-art facilities for dental assisting and future dental hygiene programs. The investment will bolster efforts to meet the growing demand for healthcare education in Idaho, offering students hands-on training while improving dental care accessibility statewide. "CWI's initiative perfectly aligns with Delta Dental of Idaho's mission," Brown continued. "This donation benefits the future dental workforce and improves the health of Idahoans."
The Impact
“Delta Dental of Idaho's investment in College of Western Idaho's Powering the Treasure Valley Campaign is elevating health education in our region. Their generous contribution will help CWI construct a cutting-edge Health and Science Building and establish a new Dental Hygiene program, meeting vital workforce demands while creating expanded opportunities for students and the community," said CWI President, Gordon Jones.
The new Health and Science Building will expand educational opportunities for Idahoans and foster interdisciplinary teamwork across healthcare programs. It will also train future dental hygienists and assistants for long-lasting careers (hygienists typically serve for 15-20 years; assistants for 10-15 years).
Strategic Grant Partnership
Delta Dental of Idaho's $1.5 million grant will support:
- Oral Health Center
- Dental Assisting Lab
- Future Dental Hygiene Program
By contributing to this initiative, Delta Dental of Idaho continues to shape the future of oral health care in Idaho, supporting programs that broaden access to oral health care, enhance the dental workforce, and improve oral health education.
Learn more about the Dental Assisting program at CWI.
