Patients in Southern Nevada can wait four months for an appointment due to a shortage of dental hygienists in the area, ABC affiliate KTNV reported April 5.
Las Vegas dental practices are facing a shortage brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Greg Welch, DDS, of Las Vegas-based Welch Dentistry, told the news station he offers incentives and has created a positive working environment to encourage people to join his team.
The College of Southern Nevada is the only college in Clark County to have a dental hygienist program. Hygienist Raina Martin, an adjunct professor at the school, said the program was extended to require a four-year degree to graduate, which has made the process longer and more rigorous.
She added that it is going to take additional funding and resources from the state to help schools like CSN improve the training process.