The University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine Regional Training Centers are a multidisciplinary educational and patient care initiative structured to provide unique opportunities for students in these programs to positively impact access to care and improve oral health outcomes in their rural communities in Pennsylvania.
Three initial Regional Training Centers (RTC) will be located in Titusville (Crawford County), Bradford (McKean County), and Johnstown (Cambria County), Pennsylvania. Additional RTCs will be added over the coming years.
RTCs will offer students degree or certificate programs in General Practice Residency (GPR), Dental Assisting, and Dental Hygiene. These community-based hybrid programs include didactic education delivered synchronously and asynchronously online, coupled with clinical education that takes place within one of the RTCs. The Regional Training Centers present a unique opportunity for residents of these and the surrounding communities to complete their education in programs that allow them to work in the healthcare field without ever having to move or relocate.
With more than 3 million people residing in rural communities, Pennsylvania has the third-largest rural population in the United States, putting it at the center of the dental workforce crisis impacting rural oral health. Access to dental care has been a growing concern across the United States, leaving residents—especially in rural communities—at risk for oral health complications. Inadequate oral health can lead to a host of oral diseases including tooth loss, bone loss, tooth decay, and oral cancer, and may include serious health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or respiratory health.
Do you want to know more about these programs?
Please see the list below to learn more about and how to apply to a specific program.
The one-year GPR at RTC is completed at the Regional Training Center and a hospital in the region.
The Hybrid Dental Hygiene Bachelor’s degree program track leverages the strengths of the existing residential program with the flexibility of a hybrid education model.
The Dental Assistant Training Program is a 6-month program with cohorts starting in July, October, January, and April.