In a major boost for both students and public health, Shawnee State University in Scioto County has been named one of just 13 schools across Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana to receive a share of nearly $350,000 in dental hygiene scholarships and equipment funding from the Delta Dental Foundation (DDF). The investment comes at a critical time, as Appalachian Ohio faces an escalating dental health crisis marked by a shortage of providers and limited access to care.
The funding supports 35 dental hygiene students, helping to eliminate financial barriers such as steep tuition costs and the pricey instrument kits needed to start training. Students could apply for:
- Up to $10,000 per year for tuition (for up to two years)
- Up to $5,000 toward essential equipment like instrument kits
“This is a long-term investment in the future of dental hygiene—which is experiencing historic shortages—and the health of our communities,” said Dr. Holli Seabury, Executive Director of the DDF. “We want to eliminate as many barriers as possible for students ready to join the workforce.”
Why It Matters in Appalachian Ohio
While the scholarship news is a big win for Shawnee State and its students, it’s also part of a larger push to address the dental care vacuum in Appalachian communities.
- In 2022, rural Ohio counties had just 41 dental providers per 100,000 residents, compared to 65 statewide.
- 10 of Ohio’s 32 Appalachian counties have fewer than 10 dentists.
- Harrison and Monroe counties each have just two dentists.
- Ohio is currently short 627 dentists, according to experts from Northeast Ohio Medical University.
With many communities dependent on federally qualified health centers to provide even basic dental services, the shortage of not just dentists but also dental hygienists and assistants is forcing clinics to train their own staff.
“We have a shortage of dentists, hygienists, and dental assistants,” said Susan Lawson, Director of Oral Health Services for the Ohio Association of Community Health Centers. “So much so that a lot of our health centers are looking into training their own dental assistants because there’s just not enough out there.”
A Path to Recession-Proof Careers
The Delta Dental Foundation’s program aims to meet that need while giving students an affordable path to rewarding, recession-proof careers. According to the American Dental Association:
- Over 31% of dentists are actively trying to hire hygienists.
- Nearly 78% report that hiring is “extremely challenging.”
- More than 62% of dental practices say staffing shortages are their top issue in 2025.
Shawnee State’s Dental Hygiene Program prepares students to work in private practices and clinics, providing oral care, education, and nutritional counseling. Graduates help close care gaps in underserved communities—like many in Southern and Southeastern Ohio.
Want to Apply?
Students interested in the next round of scholarships can bookmark the application page here:
👉 https://resources.deltadentalmi.com/Loan-Repayment
As Appalachian Ohio continues to grapple with major health care disparities, investments like these give local students the chance to make a difference—right in their own communities.