The Trident Technical College Foundation has received grants from Delta Dental of South Carolina and the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation to support the Dental Services Clinic at Trident Technical College (TTC) and launch a collaborative initiative to improve oral health across the state.
Each organization contributed to the purchase of air-polishing and biofilm therapy technology. The innovative enhancements at the TTC Dental Services Clinic will allow patients to receive gentler, more comfortable dental cleanings while improving clinical outcomes and overall oral health. This advanced technology also supports dental hygienists by reducing physical strain and treatment times, while enabling more precise, efficient care.
Additionally, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation grant funds will drive a project focused on statewide collaborations. The initiative is designed to bring partners together to share information, address common challenges, expand access to preventive dental services and strengthen South Carolina’s oral health workforce.
Through the project, the college’s dental department will collaborate with other technical colleges and nonprofit organizations to identify best practices, build strong partnerships and share knowledge to address acute oral health needs. The initiative will also enhance hands-on training for dental hygiene students while increasing access to affordable services for community members.
“This funding allows us to elevate both patient care and student learning,” said Melissa Copeland, CDA, RDH, MHA, dental services department head at Trident Technical College. “With this technology, we can train students using advanced, evidence-based methods while expanding preventive care for the people who rely on our clinic.”
Recent program expansion has increased the dental hygiene program’s enrollment capacity from 48 to 70 students annually, allowing the clinic to serve an estimated 1,980 additional patients. TTC’s Dental Services Clinic already saves patients nearly $420,000 each year in dental care costs based on the difference between market rates and reduced clinic pricing.
“We are proud to partner with Trident Technical College Foundation to support our dental hygiene workforce and their patients,” said Stacy Harris, executive director of community impact at Delta Dental of South Carolina. “This investment is vital to our mission of expanding access to care and improving oral health for every generation.”
“The BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation is committed to improving health outcomes through prevention and collaboration,” said Lindsey Kilgo, program officer. “This project helps remove barriers to oral health care while fostering partnerships that can improve services statewide.”