News

The KCC Board of Education has approved a request from the college to create a Dental Assisting and Radiology training facility on campus.

The decision came during the Board’s Jan. 26 meeting. It would establish a two-chair "operatory" on the south side of the current Certified Nursing Assistant lab in Building 4, according to a memo to the Board from Dean for Learning Services John Cascamo.

Traditionally, KCC’s Dental Assisting/ Radiology program has been taught at local dentist offices with the college paying a fee for use of those facilities. However, the college’s dental partner chose not to renew its agreement with KCC last winter.

The college has continued to offer the Dental Assisting portion of the program on campus since then, but has been unable to teach the Radiology curriculum. Fourteen students are awaiting Radiology training to move on in the program.

KCC staff members explored the possibility of holding Radiology classes at other facilities in the local community, but could not find a suitable outlet.

Cost to construct the operatory at KCC is estimated at less than $45,000, according to Cascamo’s memo. He noted that the Dental Assisting/Radiology program is profitable, and the new facility could be paid for by putting future profits back into the program.

The total annual profit of the program is estimated at $16,878. That could increase with a likely boost in program enrollment during upcoming years.

"It is reasonable to think that we may be able to double program headcount over the next two years and possibly dedicate the entire (CNA) room to Dental Assisting/Radiology," according to the memo. "This program has the ability to solve its own facility problems and quickly put people to work."

Scott Allen, Director of Community and Contract Education, told the Board that the KCC program’s job placement rate for graduates is between 80 percent and 85 percent. A total of 226 students have been served since KCC began the program in 2001.

Funding for the operatory would come through a supplemental budget request. That request will go before the Board during its next regular meeting Feb. 23.