Cabrillo College has the only dental hygiene program in the Monterey Bay region. (B. Sakura Cannestra — Santa Cruz Local file)
APTOS >> After the Dental Hygiene Board of California found in February that Cabrillo College’s dental hygiene program was not in compliance with minimum standards for patient safety and student learning, the college has now addressed all but one of the eight violations. Board members were outraged by the violations but opted to put the program on a three-year probation and allow it the opportunity to fix the issues.
In a letter dated July 1, the board wrote that the college is now in compliance with seven areas of concern. The program has yet to meet minimum staffing requirements and has until Aug. 17 to hire another permanent, full-time staffer. The program was found to be in violation with only one full-time employee, the program director. The board previously cited the college for understaffing of its dental program in 2019 and 2024.
In a letter dated July 1, the board wrote that the college is now in compliance with seven areas of concern. The program has yet to meet minimum staffing requirements and has until Aug. 17 to hire another permanent, full-time staffer. The program currently has one full-time employee, the program director. The board previously cited the college for understaffing of its dental program in 2019 and 2024.
In a press release published on July 2, Vice President of Instruction Travaris Harris wrote that the improvements demonstrate “the extraordinary commitment of our faculty, staff, administrators, and students to ensuring that our program not only meets regulatory standards but continues to prepare outstanding dental hygienists who serve our community with excellence.”
Santa Cruz Local reported last month that problems in the program may have stemmed from a chaotic and at times, toxic work environment. College leaders denied the allegations. The dean overseeing the dental program, Heidi Weber, resigned June 21. Weber and college administrators declined to discuss her resignation.
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Nik Altenberg is a bilingual reporter and assistant editor at Santa Cruz Local. Nik Altenberg es reportera bilingüe y editora asistente para Santa Cruz Local.
