South College Dallas celebrates first day for inaugural dental hygiene students
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 8, 2026
South College Dallas has welcomed its first dental hygiene students to campus as classes begin for the Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene program.
The program was granted initial accreditation by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) over the summer.
“The first day is a big milestone after a lot of thoughtful preparation, so we are excited to welcome students to campus and introduce them to our dental clinic and sophisticated tools to help prepare them for the workforce,” said Turner South, South College Dallas campus president. “Now we look forward to graduating our first cohort and helping to meet the growing demand for dental hygienists in the greater Dallas area.”
The campus features a 31-chair dental clinic, simulation laboratory and advanced training tools, from intraoral cameras and panoramic X-ray machines, to curing lights and laser pens that detect tooth decay. Students can practice on simulation manikins with removable “mouths” that include plaque detectable beneath the gumline.
The dental hygiene clinical space is located on the main floor of the campus building, located at 1505 Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway, with observation rooms for faculty and a small locker room for student use. Starting in the summer of 2027, the clinic will open for the public to receive limited dental services by students under the direct supervision of licensed oral health care providers.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), careers as a dental hygienist are expected to grow by 7% across the country from 2024 to 2034 with pay at $94,260 per year or $45.32 per hour for a two-year degree. In Texas, average annual wages are $99,240 with employment expected to increase by 21.85%.
Learn more about the program, application process and pre-requisites by visiting the Dental Hygiene program page online.
South College Dallas opened in 2025 and offers a range of healthcare-focused degree programs in areas such as surgical technology, radiography, diagnostic medical sonography, nursing and dental hygiene, with modern classrooms and labs. Campus amenities include a walking trail, outdoor courtyard, on-site café, coffee shop, covered parking and nearby restaurants and stores.
The campus is minutes away from downtown Dallas, Las Colinas business district and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport with easy access to Interstate 635 (LBJ Freeway), Interstate 35E and President George Bush Turnpike (PGBT) on State Highway 161.
For more information about South College Dallas, contact the admissions team at 469-324-1051 or visit south.edu/dallas.
South College offers more than 150 academic programs and concentrations at multiple levels, including professional certificates and associate, bachelor’s, master’s, educational specialist and doctoral degree programs via campuses in Knoxville and Nashville, Tennessee; Asheville, North Carolina; Atlanta and Marietta, Georgia; Indianapolis, Indiana; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Dallas, Texas; Orlando, Florida; and Columbus, Ohio, as well as Online and through Competency-Based Education (CBE). To learn more about South College, visit south.edu.
About South College
South College serves more than 22,000 students and is proud of its more than 25,000 graduates. The institution offers academic programs at multiple levels, including professional certificates and associate, bachelor’s, master’s, educational specialist and doctoral degree programs via campuses in Knoxville and Nashville, Tennessee; Asheville, North Carolina; Atlanta and Marietta, Georgia; Indianapolis, Indiana; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Dallas, Texas; Orlando, Florida; and Columbus, Ohio, as well as Online and CBE. South College focuses on ensuring high standards and quality educational offerings, maintaining multiple authorizations and accreditations.
South College’s programs span diverse fields such as business, criminal justice, dental hygiene/assisting, diagnostic medical sonography, nursing, occupational therapy, paralegal studies, physical therapy, radiography, respiratory therapy, physician assistant studies, pharmacy and surgical technology. The institution is dedicated to preparing students with the skills and knowledge needed for the professional opportunities ahead of them. For more information, visit south.edu.