Lake Area Tech Launches South Dakota’s Only Dental Hygiene Associate Degree Program in Watertown
- Steve Jurrens
- 10 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - Lake Area Technical College has officially welcomed its first class of Dental Hygiene students after receiving initial accreditation from the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). According to the college’s announcement, LATC is now the only institution in South Dakota offering an Associate of Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene.
The inaugural class began coursework on August 24, marking a major expansion of LATC’s long‑standing dental education offerings. The college says the new program will help address a statewide workforce shortage by preparing graduates to meet South Dakota’s licensure requirements and enter the profession with full scope‑of‑practice training.
LATC President Tiffany Sanderson called the accreditation a milestone for both students and the dental community.
“Securing accreditation affirms that our program meets the highest standards of quality and allows us to begin preparing the next generation of dental hygiene professionals right here in South Dakota,” Sanderson said.
The program builds on LATC’s 60‑year history of offering Dental Assisting education. Students who complete a CODA‑accredited assisting program and required general education courses may apply for the Dental Hygiene track, which adds three semesters of specialized instruction.
Program Director Dr. Darlene Bogenpohl said the new offering provides a high‑quality pathway into an in‑demand field.
“Students will gain the skills needed to succeed while helping meet a critical workforce need in South Dakota,” she said.
LATC serves nearly 2,800 students across more than 30 career‑focused programs and maintains a 99% placement rate. The college was previously recognized with the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.
