Wayne Community College’s Dental Hygiene program is the recipient of a $10,000 grant from the CITA Foundation at The Dallas Foundation.
For several years, CITA, or the Council of Interstate Testing Agencies, has administered an examination in the college’s dental clinic that is required by the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners for graduates to work as a dental hygienists in this state.
The gift was given in appreciation for that 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,” she said.
“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 American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX) exam.
For more information about the Dental Hygiene or Dental Assisting programs at WCC, contact Smith at srsmith@waynecc.eduior 919-739-6838.
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.
Wayne Community College is a public, learning-centered institution with an open-door admission policy located in Goldsboro, N.C. As it works to develop a highly skilled and competitive workforce, the college serves 10,000 individuals annually as well as businesses, industry, and community organizations with high quality, affordable, accessible learning opportunities, including more than 165 college credit programs. WCC’s mission is to meet the educational, training, and cultural needs of the communities it serves.