Friday, May 9, 2025
5/9/2025
Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed Spending - Construction - NHTI is the state's only resource for college-credit programs in dental hygiene and dental assisting, and for decades has been the primary source of skilled workforce in this critical part of the healthcare sector. At the same time, NHTI's dental clinic, open to the public for cleanings, screenings, sealants and other services, has a strong history of serving the region by providing services to underserved residents, including seniors, children, and low-income residents at no or low cost. Current equipment in use at NHTI is old and outdated. It does not allow students to train on current industry equipment or provide optimal clinical services. We are requesting funding to purchase Dental Programs equipment (23 dental chairs, which include equipment/technology such as bracket trays, overhead light, the 3 suctions and the arms that they hold onto, air and water syringe, and ultrasonic scaler units), plus funding to hire a member of the Dental Clinic outreach staff to work with the Medicaid-eligible population to support their utilization of benefits for oral care, further broadening access to oral health for underserved populations. The benefits of this project would be three-fold: 1. Modernize and expand dental education that is offered by NHTI and expand the pipeline of dental care professionals 2. Expand community dental care provided from the clinic; and 3. Enable NHTI to offer non-credit/micro credential dental training programs and community clinic service to regions beyond Concord. The equipment NHTI would purchase, thanks to this funding, is critically needed to maintain and expand training opportunities for hygienists and dental assistants around the State. Graduates of the programs are in high demand and are typically hired into good jobs in settings across the state. Also, funding for a staff person would enable us to work with the clinical and Medicaid population to support their utilization of benefits for oral care, further broadening access to oral health for underserved populations. Total cost - $682,097.00
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).