Front Range Community College (FRCC) in Fort Collins, Colorado, has unveiled a new dental hygiene program aimed at increasing diversity in the dental workforce. The initiative includes the Dr. Clarence Holmes Dental Suite, named in honor of one of Colorado’s pioneering African American dentists and civil rights activists.
Honoring Dr. Clarence Holmes
Dr. Clarence Holmes was a trailblazer in both healthcare and civil rights. He opened his dental practice in Denver’s Five Points neighborhood in 1920 and was the first African American to join the Denver Dental Society. Holmes was deeply involved in community service, including founding the Cosmopolitan Club to promote interracial understanding and serving on various civil rights organizations.
Mission and Impact
The new program at FRCC is designed to attract students from historically underrepresented communities into the dental field. “This is an opportunity for us to serve students from underrepresented groups who have traditionally not been showing up in healthcare,” said Dr. Colleen Simpson, president of FRCC.
Les Berry, Holmes’ grandson, noted that his grandfather would be proud of the initiative to provide dental care to underserved communities in northern Colorado. Berry recalled the challenges Holmes faced, including a cross being burned outside his office by the Ku Klux Klan when he first started practicing.
Facilities and Funding
The Dr. Clarence Holmes Dental Suite offers state-of-the-art facilities, including dental tools, x-ray machines, and classroom spaces for hands-on learning. Although the article mentions funding from the Colorado Health Foundation, it appears there might be some confusion, as other sources indicate that the expansion was supported by a grant from the Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation.
