Mohawk Valley residents considering a career in dental care have a new training option in Rome. Mohawk Valley Community College announced November 3 that enrollment is open for its new MVCC dental hygiene Associate in Applied Science degree for the spring 2027 semester, beginning in January.
The two-year program will be based at the Rome Campus. In its announcement, MVCC describes the degree as a response to demand for dental hygienists and a way to prepare students for healthcare work close to home, including essential skills in MVCC dental hygiene.
Learning in Rome, with a focus on patient care
The program combines classroom study with supervised clinical experience. According to MVCC, the Rome training clinic includes digital imaging and software used in dental care. Students will learn under the supervision of dental hygienists and dentists.
The college’s program page emphasizes disease prevention, clinical judgment, professionalism and ethical decision-making. Those are skills that matter beyond a single procedure: dental hygienists help patients understand and maintain their oral health.
MVCC says graduates may pursue work in dental offices, schools and community health centers. Further study toward a bachelor’s degree can lead to other paths, including public health, education, research and administration.
For students in Rome and surrounding communities, the location offers a nearby route into the field. It does not guarantee admission, a job or an immediate change in local appointment availability. The college’s announcement presents the program as a workforce investment rather than a promise that existing staffing shortages will disappear.
Graduation and licensing are separate steps
MVCC reports that the Commission on Dental Accreditation granted the program initial accreditation in 2026. The college says graduates will be eligible for the credentialing examinations required for a New York dental hygiene license and anesthesia certificate.
Completing the degree is not the same as receiving a professional license. MVCC notes that graduates must pass the required examinations. Students planning to practice outside New York should check the requirements of that state.
Three online sessions explain the next steps
Prospective students can hear directly from program director Dr. Kasey Penoyer at a virtual information session. The college’s registration page lists these one-hour Zoom sessions, all in Eastern Standard Time:
- Monday, November 16, 2026: noon to 1 p.m.
- Tuesday, December 1, 2026: 10 to 11 a.m.
- Tuesday, December 1, 2026: 1 to 2 p.m.
The sessions cover the program, selective admissions, application requirements and expectations. They are open to new, current, transfer and returning students. Participants register with MVCC to receive joining instructions.
Current and returning MVCC students should follow the college’s return-to-study instructions rather than automatically submit another general college application.
Confirm the deadline for the spring intake
Applicants should ask the program which deadline applies to the spring 2027 intake. The new announcement says enrollment is open, but the separate general dental hygiene application page lists March 1 without clarifying how that date applies to the January start.
That distinction matters when arranging transcripts, prerequisites and other application materials. Questions can go to dentalhygiene@mvcc.edu, the program’s published contact address.
Featured image: Original Utica Phoenix editorial graphic based on MVCC’s November 3, 2026 announcement. It is not a photograph of the campus or clinic.
