The University of Vermont Medical Center oral and dental health facility only has one full-time hygienist. The center has had an open position for second hygienist for two years.
The facility is not taking on any new patients and is scheduling nine to 10 months out in advance.
The shortage in the state began during COVID-19, as many hygienists retired or left the profession altogether, according to Chelsea Wells, the center’s sole dental hygienist.
Montpelier-based Vermont State University is the only dental hygiene school in the state and graduates around 30 students each year.
U.S. Sen. Peter Welch recently secured $5.9 million in additional funding for the school to expand its capacity, but that is several years down the line, the report said.
