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Board provisionally approves California Baptist University bachelor’s dental hygiene program
Summary
The Dental Hygiene Board of California voted to provisionally approve a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene at California Baptist University with a two‑year probation condition and will track progress through staff oversight.
The Dental Hygiene Board of California provisionally approved California Baptist University’s proposed Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene on March 21, voting that the program may begin subject to a two‑year, extendable probationary period.
Board member Justin Matthews moved the education committee recommendation to provisionally approve; Joanne Pacheco seconded the motion. The committee recorded a unanimous vote in favor; the motion was then transmitted to the full board as part of the committee’s actions.
Board staff said California Baptist University (Cal Baptist) submitted a letter of intent on Dec. 5, 2024, and a feasibility study on Jan. 9, 2025, proposing the program to serve Riverside and other Inland Empire communities. David Pierce, dean of the College of Health Science at California Baptist University, described the program as part of a broader effort to address workforce shortages and bring patient care to campus through a renovated facility. “We have quite a bit of need, and so we have a lot that’s underserved,” Pierce said during the committee presentation.
Kelly Donovan, the program’s founding director, described the school’s plan and noted the program’s focus on clinical training and community outreach.
Public commenters included Susan McLaren of the California Dental Hygienists’ Association (CDHA), who praised the report but questioned how graduates would address access in counties with few dentists, saying, “How, because your graduates will need to work for a dentist … how do you plan to improve access to care in that area?” Elena Francisco, a commenter and educator, asked whether the university has a plan to develop more qualified educators to staff a new program.
Board staff and university representatives responded that Cal Baptist would consult with staff at each stage of program development and that the university is considering future advanced‑degree pathways to grow the educator workforce. Anthony Lum, the board’s executive officer, complimented the program’s feasibility study as “very thorough, very clean.”
The committee set the approval with an extendable two‑year probation once the program begins operation; staff will monitor milestones and report progress to the board.
Votes at a glance: The education committee recommended approval; the roll call recorded aye votes from Michael Long, Sherman King, Justin Matthews, Joanne Pacheco and Lehi Lolly Tribble Agarwal. The motion passed.
The board will monitor the program’s compliance and receive reports from staff at intervals specified in the board materials.
