At Trident Technical College’s Dental Services Clinic, the impact of a dental appointment extends far beyond the chair. For patients, it means access to affordable, high-quality care close to home. For students, it means hands-on training that prepares them for in-demand careers. And for the broader community, it reflects a growing effort to expand oral health access while strengthening South Carolina’s dental workforce.
Now the college is expanding that impact through a combination of facility growth, cutting-edge technology and strategic partnerships.
Strengthening Partnerships, Growing Impact
On June 10, Trident Technical College celebrated the opening of an expanded Dental Services Clinic on Thornley Campus, increasing the number of patient operatories from 21 to 26. This larger facility allows the college to treat approximately 1,650 additional patients each year – improving access to care for families across the Lowcountry – and creates space to enroll more students in its dental hygiene program.
The expansion itself reflects the long-term impact of TTC's programs and partnerships. Solomon Family Dentistry, a longtime TTC supporter, provided an in-kind gift to help make the project possible. That investment is already paying dividends: the practice has hired seven newly minted TTC graduates, demonstrating the quality of the college’s training and its vital role in meeting regional workforce needs.
“As a practice rooted in this community, we understand how important it is to invest in the next generation of dental professionals,” said Dr. Jason Solomon of Solomon Family Dentistry. “Expanding the college’s training capacity strengthens the future of dental care across the Lowcountry.”
At the same time, philanthropic grants from Delta Dental of South Carolina and the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation are helping the college enhance both patient care and student learning through advanced technology and statewide collaboration. Together, these initiatives position Trident Tech’s dental clinic as a hub for education, innovation and community care – and reinforce the college’s leadership in improving oral health in South Carolina.
“This funding allows us to elevate both patient care and student learning,” said Melissa Copeland, CDA, RDH, MHA, dental services department head at Trident Technical College. “With this technology, we can train students using advanced, evidence-based methods while expanding preventive care for the people who rely on our clinic.”
Improving Care Through Innovation
Trident Tech provides dental services to the public at significantly reduced cost, saving community members roughly $420,000 in dental care expenses each year. Recent high-tech upgrades – including air-polishing and biofilm therapy equipment – allow patients to receive gentler, more comfortable cleanings while improving clinical outcomes. These tools mirror those found in modern dental practices, so students train with the same advanced instruments they’ll use in the field. The technology also reduces physical strain and treatment time for hygienists, supporting a more sustainable workforce in a high-demand field.
To further improve access to care, Trident Tech is leading a statewide initiative to strengthen oral health services. With support from the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation, the college is collaborating with other technical colleges and nonprofit organizations to share best practices, address common challenges and expand preventive dental services across the state.
“The BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation is committed to improving health outcomes through prevention and collaboration,” said Lindsey Kilgo, program officer. “This project helps remove barriers to oral health care while fostering partnerships that can improve services statewide.”
“We are proud to partner with Trident Technical College Foundation to support our dental hygiene workforce and their patients,” said Stacy Harris, executive director of community impact at Delta Dental of South Carolina. “This investment is vital to our mission of expanding access to care and improving oral health for every generation.”
Trident Technical College representatvies Elliott DeMerrell, Donor Relations, Cris Felty, Director of Grants Development and Administration, Lisa Piccolo, Vice President of Advancement and Executive Director of the TTC Foundation, Melissa Copeland '07, Dental Services Department Head, Krista Harrington '88, Dean of Health Sciences and Lori Fischer, Associate Dean of Health Sciences
Preparing the Next Generation of Dental Professionals
At the center of these efforts are the students who train in the clinic each day. Through TTC’s dental hygiene and dental assisting programs, students gain real-world experience treating patients under faculty supervision. This direct patient care not only improves access in the moment; it also builds a pipeline of skilled professionals ready to enter the workforce.
That pipeline is already making an impact locally. Recent graduates have moved immediately into positions with area dental providers, reinforcing the program’s strength and the value of local partnerships. In fact, TTC’s dental hygiene program now produces around 30 new graduates each year with a 100% job placement rate, and most have remained in the Lowcountry, helping meet a critical workforce need while expanding access to care across the region.
A Full-Circle Impact
A 2006 photo of Melissa Copeland while attending Trident Technical College
One person who embodies the full-circle impact of TTC’s dental programs is Melissa Copeland, who began her career as a TTC dental student and now leads the department that trained her. Copeland has witnessed the clinic’s influence from multiple perspectives — as a student honing her skills, as a practitioner treating patients and now as an educator shaping the next generation.
“Dentistry as a profession is constantly evolving, and I feel grateful to play a role in preparing the next generation of dental professionals to meet those changes with confidence and skill. Leading a program that helped shape my own career is both an honor and a responsibility,” she said.
This sense of continuity – students trained locally, hired locally and then giving back to the college and community – defines the TTC approach. The Dental Services Clinic is both a training ground and a community resource where education, workforce development and compassionate care come together.
Looking Ahead
Faculty and staff, students and community partners gathered in June to celebrate not just the expansion of a building, but the growth of a mission. As capacity expands and new partnerships take root, Trident Technical College is increasing access to care, preparing more skilled professionals and meeting the region’s growing demand for dental health services.
Through education, innovation and community partnership, Trident Technical College is helping more people access care, preparing more skilled professionals and strengthening the health of the Lowcountry for years to come.