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April 25, 2024 11:05 am

WCC Dental Hygiene program awarded $10,000 grant

From left, Wayne Community College Dental Department Chair Susan Smith, Foundation of WCC Executive Director Adrienne Northington and WCC Dean of Allied Health and Public Services Janeil Marak celebrate a $10,000 grant from the CITA Foundation at The Dallas Foundation.

GOLDSBORO — Wayne Community College’s Dental Hygiene program is the recipient of a $10,000 grant from the Council of Interstate Testing Agencies Foundation at The Dallas Foundation. CITA has administered the N.C. Dental Hygiene Examination in the college’s dental clinic for more than four years.

The gift was given in appreciation for the relationship between the organizations, according to WCC Dental Department Chair Susan Smith. “We never expected such a donation to our school. We really appreciate the relationship with CITA,” Smith said. “Bringing this exam to our school has been so beneficial for the students in our program. They are able to take their state board exam right here in a clinic that they are familiar with.”

“Dental and dental hygiene schools have played an essential role in the examination process by allowing CITA to use their facilities to administer the exams for their students as well as outside candidates,” said Conrad P. McVea III, president of the CITA Foundation.

In August, CITA combined with CDCA-WREB, the other agency authorized to administer assessments developed by the American Board of Dental Examiners to form CDCA-WREB-CITA. At that point, CITA formed the CITA Foundation to help fund charities and dental educational projects around the United States.

“We know that public dental schools are receiving less state funding and are struggling to maintain and improve facilities. CITA is committed to helping fund that gap with grants to fund facility improvements, equipment purchases, scholarships and foundation donations which will help students and schools for years to come,” McVea said.

The funds provided to WCC are to be used for clinical needs and to assist students in preparing for the ADEX exam.

For more information about the Dental Hygiene or Dental Assisting programs at WCC, contact Smith at 919-739-6838 or srsmith@waynecc.edu.

The Dallas Foundation serves as the fiscal sponsor for initiatives that are implementing new programs that have significant community benefits. The CITA Foundation is one of more than 400 fundholders with which The Dallas Foundation partners to invest in communities.