UMA has received a $250,000 gift from Northeast Delta Dental to launch the Northeast Delta Dental Workforce Development Fund for Dental Hygienists, a new initiative to reduce financial barriers for students and strengthen Maine’s dental hygiene workforce at a time of critical shortage.

The fund will provide scholarships, licensure fee support and emergency microgrants to students in Â鶹APP Bangor-based dental hygiene program, Maine’s only public program and a vital pipeline for the state’s oral health workforce. By easing financial barriers, the initiative aims to ensure more students graduate and begin serving communities that urgently need oral health professionals.

“We are deeply grateful to Northeast Delta Dental for this generous investment in our students,” said UMA President Jenifer Cushman. “This fund will ease the financial pressures our dental hygiene students face, allowing them to stay on track, graduate and serve the communities that count on them for care. It’s a powerful example of how partnerships can strengthen Maine’s health care workforce.”

The newly established fund will support students in three primary ways:

• Retention Scholarships: covering tuition and fee gaps for juniors and seniors after all other aid is applied
• Licensure Fee Assistance: helping students pay for board examinations and licensing fees that can exceed $2,200
• Emergency Microgrants: providing small, flexible grants for unexpected expenses that might otherwise disrupt a student’s education

Tom Raffio, president and CEO of Northeast Delta Dental said, “with this fund, UMA is enabling us to realize our mission of improving access to dental care by increasing the dental hygiene workforce. We are grateful for their commitment to easing the financial burden of their students, enabling them to complete their training and ultimately serve their community.”

Â鶹APP dental hygiene program has a proven record of serving Maine’s needs. Between 2018–2024, the program graduated 124 hygienists, with 98% remaining in-state to practice. From 2022 to 2025, graduates achieved a 100% pass rate on their board exams, underscoring the program’s exceptional quality and rigor. This gift will help more students cross the finish line and enter the workforce more quickly, expanding access to care in communities that need it most.

“This funding ensures more students can complete their program and enter the field where they’re urgently needed,” said Nancy Foster, professor of dental health, program coordinator and director of the dental hygiene program at the Â鶹APP. “Too often we lose exceptionally talented individuals to financial barriers that prevent them from finishing their education. With targeted support through scholarships, licensure assistance and microgrants, we can help students graduate and join Maine’s workforce where their skills are in high demand.”

Students agree the fund will make a difference.

“As a student in Â鶹APP dental hygiene program, I’ve seen firsthand how challenging it can be to balance the heavy workload, clinical hours, and costs such as tuition, textbooks, dental equipment and housing,” said Hannah Blanchette, a senior at Â鶹APP Bangor campus. “Knowing that this support will be available means students like me can focus more on our studies and training and graduate prepared to serve Maine communities as licensed dental hygienists.”

According to licensure data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023), the number of dental hygienists practicing in Maine declined from 1,040 in 2019 to 840 in 2023. The shortage is most acute in rural areas and is expected to worsen as the workforce ages and fewer new professionals enter the field.

Student support through the Northeast Delta Dental Workforce Development Fund for Dental Hygienists will begin in the 2025–2026 academic year. UMA will track and report outcomes including retention, graduation, licensure and post-graduation employment to measure impact and inform future efforts.

For more information about Â鶹APP Dental Hygiene program, visit .

About Delta Dental

Northeast Delta Dental administers dental benefits in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, offering dental insurance programs for businesses and nonprofits of all sizes. The company, comprised of the Delta Dental Plans of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, serves 1,123,037 people, with a network of 1,926 participating dentists, or 86% of the total dentists in the tri-state area. The company’s mission is to advance the dental health and overall wellness of its customers and the communities it serves. In addition to funding oral health initiatives, the company supports numerous organizations and events important to the communities through a corporate grant application process. Visit for more information.

In her second-year as dental hygiene student at the Â鶹APP, Lila Pierce was appointed as a student delegate to the American Dental Hygienists Association House of Delegates. Representing District 1—which includes Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont—she joined ten other selected students and professional delegates from across the country in June of 2025 to review proposed resolutions and help shape the future of the profession.

Only one student from the national delegation is selected to cast an official vote during the House of Delegates meeting. In her role, Lila is attended state meetings, worked with her mentor Traci Dempsey, president of the Maine Dental Hygiene Board, and prepared for the experience. “I never imagined being able to engage in the profession in such a big and far-reaching way while still in school,” she said. “It’s exciting, and I want to contribute in a meaningful way.”

Lila’s interest in dental hygiene began when she was just seven years old and had a positive experience with a hygienist who made her feel comfortable and cared for. After high school, she was accepted to an out-of-state program, but cost put it out of reach. She chose UMA for its affordability and proximity, and discovered an environment that exceeded her expectations. “The faculty are always willing to help,” she said. “They’re engaged with us in class, on Zoom, even in our group chats. They make sure we’re never alone in this.”

Now in the clinic, Lila says the hands-on experience is helping her dream come to life. She’s especially grateful for Â鶹APP professionalism course, which she says gave her the tools to not only act like a professional, but become one. “Finally being able to get my hands-on experience in the clinic feels unreal,” she said. “So far I’m really enjoying my newfound career. I’m excited to test the limits of this profession even after I graduate.”

The Â鶹APP (UMA) Dental Health Program has received a $5,000 grant from the Maine Veterans’ Dental Network (MVDN), funded by Northeast Delta Dental, to provide free dental care for veterans. This funding is part of a larger $300,000 grant awarded to MVDN to continue expanding access to essential oral healthcare for Maine veterans.

Since its launch by Governor Janet Mills and Northeast Delta Dental in 2021, the MVDN has provided oral health services to 1,471 Maine veterans — many receiving dental care for the first time since separating from the military. The network collaborates with nonprofit dental clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers and Maine’s dental teaching institutions, including UMA, to connect veterans with preventive and restorative care.

“Our veterans have given so much to Maine and the nation, and the least we can do in return is ensure they have the support they need to maintain their health and well-being,” said Governor Janet Mills. “I thank Northeast Delta Dental for their continued generosity and the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services for administering the program. Together, this important partnership will ensure more Maine veterans have access to the dental services they deserve.”

This marks the fourth consecutive year UMA has received MVDN funding, which will support dental hygiene preventive services, radiographs and basic restorative care at Â鶹APP dental clinic in Bangor. The grant is expected to serve approximately 80 veterans.

“At UMA, we are dedicated to providing high-quality dental care while also giving our students hands-on experience that makes a real impact in the community,” said Associate Professor and Dental Health Programs Coordinator Nancy Foster. “We are incredibly grateful for this continued support, which allows us to provide services for Maine’s veterans and help improve their overall health and well-being.”

UMA has a longstanding commitment to serving veterans, military service members and their families. As a Military Friendly school and a Military Times Best for Vets institution, UMA provides dedicated student support services and flexible learning options tailored to meet the needs of those who have served.

“We are honored to receive this funding once again and to continue providing essential dental care to Maine’s veterans,” Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the College of Professional Studies Brenda McAleer. “This grant aligns with Â鶹APP mission to support those who have served our country by offering them high-quality, accessible services.”

To determine eligibility, veterans interested in MVDN services can visit or call 207-287-6836.

Learn more about Â鶹APP Dental Health Patient Services.

Earlier this year, the Â鶹APP (UMA) received a $665,000 award from Northeast Delta Dental to expand the dental workforce in Maine. The award was celebrated October 18, at a ceremonial event at the UMA Lewiston Center Dental Clinic located at USM’s Lewiston-Auburn College.

The initiative’s goal is to address the shortage of dental auxiliaries in Maine and extend the benefits of dental care to address disparities in oral health, providing quality oral health care for people who are low-income, uninsured, and/or members of racial/ethnic minority, immigrant, or rural populations.

Dr. Jeff Walawender, Chair of the Maine Board of Directors of Northeast Delta Dental, and a practicing dentist in Portland, Maine with nearly 15 years of experience in dental medicine spoke to attendees. “This is an historic gift from Northeast Delta Dental, and it demonstrates our commitment to community oral health. Dental Assistants and Dental Hygienists are a critical component of this effort dental health and we are very proud to award this gift to the University.”

In addition to doubling the number of state-of-the-art dental units (from three to six) to Â鶹APP Lewiston Center Dental Clinic with equipment and construction costs, and adding increased staffing, the gift will enable increased access to care for preventative dental services in the Lewiston and surrounding areas. With these funds, the programs also plan to award $100,000 in student scholarships to those enrolling in the Dental Assisting (DA) or Expanded Function Dental Assisting (EFDA) programs which will increase the number of trained dental professionals entering the workforce. Although not a focus of this gift, UMA also anticipates that more dental hygiene students from its Bangor location would be able to go on rotations in Lewiston, adding valuable educational experiences for hygiene students and increasing access to care for preventative dental services in the Lewiston and surrounding areas.

Nancy Foster, Associate Professor of Dental Health and Dental Health Programs Coordinator for UMA, said, “Receiving this award to expand our Lewiston dental clinic will make a monumental impact on the role the University is able to play by positively impacting and contributing to the dental workforce shortages and ultimately aiding in Maine’s lack of access to dental care for its residents.”

With three additional dental chairs, UMA will increase enrollment in both the Dental Assisting and Expanded Function Dental Assisting programs. The Dental Assisting Program anticipates an increase in Lewiston enrollments from six students to 12 students per year. The Expanded Function Dental Assisting Program is projected to increase Lewiston enrollments from 12 to 18 students per year. With these additional dental units and equipment, the Dental Assisting Program in both Bangor and Lewiston would anticipate 24 dental assistants and 30 EFDAs per academic year. Educating and training 54 additional allied dental professionals for the workforce here in Maine per year will make a significant impact on the overall workforce shortages.

Northeast Delta Dental administers dental benefits in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, offering dental insurance programs for businesses and nonprofits of all sizes, and individuals and families with no access to employer-sponsored dental benefits. Northeast Delta Dental follows its mission to advance the oral health and overall wellness of its customers and the communities it serves by funding oral health initiatives and numerous community organizations throughout Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Visit for more information.

UMA transforms the lives of students of every age and background across the State of Maine and beyond through access to high-quality distance and on-site education, excellence in student support, civic engagement, and professional and liberal arts programs. For more information, please visit .

Explore UMA’s Dental Programs

Dental Assisting

Expanded Functions Dental Assisting

Dental Hygiene

The UMA Dental Hygiene Clinic in Bangor is providing dental hygiene services to veterans who are unable to afford preventive dental care. The (MVDN) is a Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services program and is operated through a generous grant from Northeast Delta Dental. Its mission is to provide services to veterans who cannot afford to pay for oral healthcare out of pocket and do not have dental insurance.

The first step to connect to the program is to see if the veteran qualifies for it. Veterans can either or call 207-287-6836 to request a paper application. A copy of the veterans’ DD-214 (military discharge – Honorable or General Under Honorable Conditions) and a copy of their Maine Driver’s License are required to complete the application. Services will be provided on a first-come first-serve basis, until the grant funding is depleted.

This program provides Â鶹APP dental hygiene program students with valuable clinical experiences under the supervision of Â鶹APP Dental Hygiene faculty. The UMA Bangor Dental Hygiene Clinic has already provided preventative dental hygiene services last year to over 80 qualified veterans.

Once veterans are notified that they are approved for the MVDN, the next step is to contact the UMA Dental Hygiene Clinic in Bangor at 207-262-7872 to schedule an appointment which will include a free dental cleaning, X-rays, and fluoride treatment. The Clinic is located at 201 Texas Ave, Bangor.

Friday, February 10, 2023 AND Friday, March 3, 2023

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. both days

UMA Dental Hygiene Clinic – UMA Bangor Campus, 201 Texas Avenue, Bangor

The Â鶹APP (UMA) Dental Health Clinic is hosting its annual “Give Kids a Smile Day” in partnership with the American Dental Association over a two-day period. The “Give Kids a Smile Day” will be held on February 10 and March 3 from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm at the UMA Dental Hygiene Clinic located on Â鶹APP Bangor campus at 201 Texas Avenue in Bangor. The two-day event helps to ensure that the same number of children will be served while maintaining all necessary COVID-19 protocols. The UMA Dental Hygiene Clinic operates according to the American Dental Association and Maine CDC recommended safety requirements and precautions.

Children ages 5 to 19, who do not have a dentist, can schedule free dental appointments to get cleanings, exams, x-rays, fluoride treatments, and dental hygiene education. Students from Â鶹APP Dental Hygiene programs will be providing care with the aid of staff dentists, and faculty members from Â鶹APP Dental Health Programs, and volunteer dentists from the community.

All patients, guests, students and staff are required to wear face coverings. For more information about the event, required COVID-19 protocols, and to make an appointment contact the clinic at 262-7872 or email at bangorhygschool@maine.edu.

The Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services (MBVS) and 22 participating clinics, including the UMA Dental Hygiene Clinic in Bangor, are providing dental hygiene services to veterans unable to afford preventive dental care.  The Maine Veterans’ Dental Network, which is overseen by MBVS, received a $100,000 grant from Northeast Delta Dental to serve veterans who do not otherwise have dental coverage or cannot afford dental care.

The UMA Dental Hygiene Clinic received $6,000 of this grant funding and has been providing preventive dental hygiene services (e.g. cleanings) for qualifying veterans throughout the fall semester. However, this program only runs through April 29, so qualifying veterans are encouraged to make an appointment today.

This program also provides Â鶹APP dental hygiene program students with valuable clinical experiences under the supervision of Â鶹APP Dental Hygiene faculty. UMA-Bangor Dental Hygiene Clinic has already provided preventative dental hygiene services to over 65 qualified veterans.

“This is a great opportunity to give back to those who have given so much in service to their country,” stated Jacqueline Thiel, of Augusta who is a UMA Dental Hygiene student and Marine Corps veteran. “As someone who has served, I am truly honored to help my fellow veterans improve their dental health.”

To receive dental hygiene services at no cost, veterans must provide a copy of their DD-214 (discharge papers) to the clinic and grant permission to forward the document to MBVS for inclusion in its database. If the veteran does not have a copy of their DD-214, MBVS can assist them in acquiring one by submitting the State of Maine Request Form –  located on the MBVS .

To make an appointment, eligible veterans may contact the UMA Dental Hygiene Clinic at 207-262-7872 or visit /academics/programs/dental-programs/patient-services/ to schedule a free dental cleaning, including X-rays and fluoride treatment. The UMA Dental Hygiene Clinic is located at 201 Texas Ave, Bangor.

Free Dental Cleanings and Exams available for children through “Give Kids a Smile Day” at UMA Dental Health Clinic

March 4, 2022

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

UMA Dental Hygiene Clinic – Bangor Campus

201 Texas Avenue, Bangor

Pre- COVID-19 image provided: Courtesy of UMA.

The Â鶹APP Dental Health Clinic is hosting its annual “Give Kids a Smile Day” in partnership with the American Dental Association this year.  The second day of the “Give Kids a Smile Day” event will be held on March 4 from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm at the UMA Dental Hygiene Clinic located on Â鶹APP Bangor campus at 201 Texas Avenue in Bangor. The event was held on two-days to ensure that the same number of children could be served while maintaining all necessary COVID-19 protocols. The UMA Dental Hygiene Clinic operates according to the American Dental Association and Maine CDC recommended safety requirements and precautions.

Children ages five to 18, who do not have a dentist, can schedule free dental appointments to get cleanings, exams, x-rays, fluoride treatments, and dental hygiene education. Students from Â鶹APP Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting programs will be providing care with the aid of staff dentists and faculty members from Â鶹APP Dental Health Programs.

All patients, guests, students, and staff are required to wear face coverings. Contact the UMA Dental Health Clinic at 262-7872 or email at bangorhygschool@maine.edu for more information about the event, required COVID-19 protocols, and to make an appointment

The UMA 2022-2023 Scholarship application is open now with a deadline of March 31, 2022.

Applicants will be evaluated on academic achievement, leadership, and community and/or campus service.

Steps to Apply

1. Submit the online form available on the Scholarships webpage.
2. Attach resume and cover letter containing a personal statement as to why the applicant feels they should be considered for a scholarship.

Details

• Scholarships based on financial eligibility require the student to submit their by UMA’s preferred filing deadline of March 1, 2022.
• All Scholarships require a minimum academic cumulative grade point average of 2.0.
• Scholarship awardees will be notified no later than May 1, 2022.
• Students graduating in Summer 2022 or Fall 2022 are NOT eligible for these scholarships.

Questions?

Contact UMA Student Financial Services at umafa@maine.edu.

There is still time for qualifying veterans to take advantage of a free preventative dental hygiene services at UMA-Bangor Dental Hygiene Clinic

There is still time for qualifying veterans to take advantage of a free preventative dental hygiene services at the UMA-Bangor Dental Hygiene Clinic.  However, this program ends April 29.

The Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services (MBVS) and eight participating clinics, including the UMA Dental Hygiene Clinic in Bangor, are providing dental hygiene services to veterans unable to afford preventive dental care.  The , which is overseen by MBVS, received a $35,000 grant from Northeast Delta Dental to serve veterans who do not otherwise have dental coverage or cannot afford dental care.

The UMA Dental Hygiene Clinic received $6,000 of this grant funding and has been providing preventive dental hygiene services (e.g. cleanings) for qualifying veterans throughout the fall semester. However, this program only runs through April 29, so qualifying veterans are encouraged to make an appointment today.

This program also provides Â鶹APP dental hygiene program students with valuable clinical experiences under the supervision of Â鶹APP Dental Hygiene faculty. UMA-Bangor Dental Hygiene Clinic has already provided preventative dental hygiene services last fall to over 35 qualified veterans.

To receive dental hygiene services at no cost, veterans must provide a copy of their DD-214 (discharge papers) to the clinic and grant permission to forward the document to MBVS for inclusion in its database. If the veteran does not have a copy of their DD-214, MBVS can assist them in acquiring one by submitting the State of Maine Request Form –  located on the MBVS .

To make an appointment, eligible veterans may contact the UMA Dental Hygiene Clinic at 207-262-7872 or visit /academics/programs/dental-programs/patient-services/ to schedule a free dental cleaning, including X-rays and fluoride treatment. The UMA Dental Hygiene Clinic is located at 201 Texas Ave, Bangor.