Heartland Dental awards $34,500 in scholarships to students at Concorde Career Colleges campuses nationwide

Heartland Dental today announced the recipients of the 2026 Heartland Dental Hygiene Scholarships. As part of its ongoing commitment to supporting the next generation of dental hygienists, Heartland Dental is awarding $34,500 in scholarships to 23 students at participating Concorde campuses nationwide. Each recipient will receive a $1,500 scholarship in recognition of their dedication to their education and commitment to a career in dental hygiene.

Heartland Dental, the nation's largest dental support organization, has been working with Concorde for several years to help strengthen the pipeline of skilled dental hygienists entering the profession. This marks the fifth consecutive year Heartland Dental has awarded scholarships to Concorde dental hygiene students.

Added Kevin Prehn, SVP, Chief Operating Officer, Universal Technical Institute, Inc.: "From mentorship to scholarships, Heartland Dental continues to show a deep commitment to Concorde students throughout their educational journey. Educator-employer partnerships like ours create meaningful pathways to employment for our students and we're grateful for Heartland Dental's ongoing investment in our students and dental programs."

In addition to the annual scholarships, Heartland Dental has collaborated with Concorde for several years to address its need for dental hygienists through company-sponsored dental hygiene labs on campus, graduate pinning ceremonies, pediatric dental events and the recent opening of the Concorde-Fort Myers campus.

Nationwide, employment of dental hygienists is projected to grow 8% from 2025 to 2035, which is much faster than the overall average for all occupations. In most states where Concorde has campuses, the demand is significantly higher. For example, statewide projected job growth for dental hygienists in Colorado, Florida, Oregon, Tennessee and Texas ranges from 12% to 22% between 2024 and 2034.