Front Range Community College Opens Low-Cost Dental Clinic in Fort Collins
Front Range Community College will begin accepting dental patients in January at a new community clinic on its Larimer campus, offering basic dental care at significantly reduced prices while providing hands-on training for the college's dental hygiene and assisting students.
The FRCC Community Dental Clinic will charge between $20 and $50 for most appointments, depending on patient age, with no income verification or insurance billing required. Students will perform treatments under direct supervision of licensed dental professionals and faculty.
"FRCC's team is passionate about providing this opportunity for our neighbors in northern Colorado who need dental care, especially for those who may not have insurance," said FRCC President Colleen Simpson in a November 11 announcement.
The clinic addresses growing demand for affordable dental services in Northern Colorado, where approximately one in five residents lacks dental insurance and provider shortages persist across Larimer and Weld Counties.
Clinic Services and Costs
The facility will offer dental exams including x-rays, cleanings, fillings, local anesthesia, sealants, and laser and fluoride treatments. Complex dental and periodontic procedures will not be available.
New patients aged 12 and under will pay $20 for routine checkups including cleaning, x-rays and fluoride varnish. Adult and adolescent patients 13 and older will pay $50 for initial visits and $40 for subsequent routine checkups.
Appointments typically require two to four hours for dental cleanings and may span multiple visits as students work through procedures with faculty oversight. The extended timeframe allows for thorough instruction and careful attention to detail.
The clinic does not accept dental insurance but will provide detailed service summaries that patients can submit directly to insurers for potential reimbursement.
Addressing Regional Dental Access Barriers
Colorado has 109 federally designated Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas as of late 2025, according to the Health Resources and Services Administration. Front Range counties including Larimer and Weld host 75 percent of Colorado's Medicaid population but face insufficient dental provider growth to match increased demand.
In 2014, Larimer County had one Medicaid-accepting dentist for every 1,300 enrollees, while Weld County had one for every 2,554 enrollees, according to data from the Kaiser Family Foundation. The disparity has persisted despite expanded Medicaid coverage.
Approximately 18.6 percent of Colorado residents lack dental insurance, with two in five Coloradans postponing dental care due to cost, according to the 2024 Colorado Health Foundation Pulse Survey.
Routine dental exams in Fort Collins and Greeley private practices typically cost $90 to $160, with basic cleanings ranging from $120 to $200 and single-surface fillings from $150 to $240, according to regional market data.
Workforce Pipeline for Dental Professionals
The clinic serves a dual purpose of expanding community access to affordable care while preparing students for careers facing strong regional demand. Dental assistants and hygienists in Colorado experience job placement rates approaching 95 to 100 percent upon graduation.
FRCC received support from the Colorado Health Foundation and Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation to establish the clinic and expand its dental hygiene program capacity. The college plans to double annual dental hygiene program enrollment from approximately 24 to 32 graduates to 48 to 64 per year, according to state workforce development data.
"Working in our community clinic combines what students are learning in the classroom with direct patient care," said FRCC Dean of Health Sciences & Wellness Angie Peach. "This offers our students real-world clinical experience, preparing them for rewarding career opportunities."
Entry-level dental assistants in Colorado earn $16 to $18 per hour, with experienced professionals earning $23 to $30 per hour, according to state labor market data. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects faster-than-average job growth for dental assistants and hygienists in Colorado through 2030, driven by population growth and existing capacity constraints.
The clinic operates under Colorado Dental Board regulations requiring direct supervision by licensed dentists or dental hygienists, with all student-provided care reviewed and approved by supervising faculty. FRCC's dental programs maintain accreditation through the Commission on Dental Accreditation.
Regional Workforce Development Context
Larimer County Economic & Workforce Development reported over 1,100 health care vacancies across Larimer and Weld Counties in its October labor market profile. The analysis documented persistent workforce challenges as technology transforms health care sectors and training pipelines struggle to keep pace with employer demand.
The dental clinic joins other Front Range Community College health sciences programs serving more than 27,000 students annually across multiple locations and online platforms. The college offers more than 200 degrees and certificates as Colorado's largest community college.
The FRCC Community Dental Clinic is located at the college's Larimer campus and is now accepting appointment requests through the college website at frontrange.edu/dentalclinic.