Career & Technical Education (CTE), High School Programs

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Help Shape Oregon’s Dental Workforce — Starting Today

Oregon dentists are facing a growing workforce challenge. Across the state, practices are struggling to recruit and retain dental assistants, hygienists, and other support staff due to a limited pipeline of trained candidates, workforce retirements, and rising demand.

At the same time, many students including those interested in healthcare have little awareness of dental career opportunities or access to hands-on experience in dental settings.

The result: a widening gap between workforce demand and available talent.

Career & Technical Education (CTE) Programs Can Help

Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs are offered through Oregon high schools, community colleges, and technical education providers. These programs connect classroom instruction with real-world career opportunities by giving students hands-on training and exposure to jobs including dental assisting, dental hygiene, and lab technology.

CTE creates a pathway for students to enter the dental workforce earlier with foundational skills and a strong interest in the profession.

Why This Matters to Your Practice

CTE programs are more than education opportunities for students; they are a direct pipeline to your future workforce.

CTE programs can help Oregon dentists:

  • Build a stronger hiring pipeline with students already trained and career-focused
  • Reduce recruiting challenges and onboarding time
  • Connect early with future dental assistants and staff
  • Increase awareness of dentistry as a career in your community
  • Strengthen your practice’s reputation as a local leader

How Can Oregon Dentists Help?

CTE programs present a powerful opportunity to address workforce shortages, but they cannot succeed without engagement from dental professionals.

You can help engage students in these programs and support their training by:

  1. Reaching out to your local CTE program
  2. Offering to present to the local CTE program about careers in dentistry
  3. Helping local CTE programs promote and market opportunities to students
  4. Offering mentorships or internships to students at your local CTE program

We know that many Oregon dentists and their staff are already engaged with their local CTE programs and their engagement has benefitted their office with recruitment and training of dental support staff.

When dentists engage with CTE programs, students gain:

  • Real-world insight into dental careers
  • Hands-on exposure to clinical settings
  • Mentorship and guidance
  • A clearer path into the profession

Without that connection, students are far less likely to enter the dental field—or to be fully prepared when they do.

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Map of all 2025-26 CTE Health Sciences Secondary Programs - Google My Maps

List of programs with dental science programs: 

To find out more about CTE programs in your community contact Liz Rain, CTE Health Sciences Education Specialist, Secondary-Postsecondary Transitions Team, Office of Education Innovation & Improvement at Liz.Rain@ode.oregon.gov or (971) 239-8693.

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