Parkland College will soon expand its dental hygienist program and dramatically increase access to community dental care, thanks to $3.5 million in federal funding secured by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL).
The funding, part of the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations package passed earlier this month, was obtained through the Congressionally Directed Spending process. The investment will allow Parkland College to construct a new dental clinic and training facility, expanding enrollment in its highly competitive dental hygienist program by 40 percent.
Each year, Parkland accepts only one-third of applicants to its dental hygienist program due to space limitations. The program also provides low-cost preventive dental services, many for $10 or less, to more than 400 new community members annually, totaling over $550,000 in free or reduced-cost care.
Senator Durbin, who announced the funding at a news conference Thursday, emphasized the importance of addressing oral health shortages across the state.