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NIC Dental Hygiene program celebrates second graduating class

Graduation90 – From left, NIC Dental Hygiene graduates Alexis Jordan, Alyssa Drummond, Kalli Cooper, Sonya Prindle, Jessie Renner, Lauren Morgan, Angelea Chambers, Brooke Ford, Reanna Martinez, Julissa Delka, Shaylie Gordon, Bailey Scribner, Kelly Stubbers, Emily Diaz and Bayleigh Stockton celebrate on stage during NIC’s dental hygiene graduation on Dec. 11 at the Boswell Hall Schuler Performing Arts Center at NIC’s Coeur d’Alene campus.

North Idaho College celebrated the graduation of 15 dental hygiene students on Wednesday, Dec. 11 in a pinning ceremony at the Boswell Hall Schuler Performing Arts Center at NIC’s Coeur d’Alene campus.

The graduation featured a variety of speakers for the second-ever graduating class including NIC Dental Hygiene Program Director Janis McClelland, NIC President Nick Swayne, members of the local dental community and more.

"I have complete confidence in the faculty and administrators of NIC's Dental Hygiene Program and look forward to recruiting here for years to come,” John Pulsipher of Riverstone Dental Care said. “My partners and I were thrilled that four NIC-based graduates accepted job offers (at Riverstone Dental Care)."

Pulsipher said that the demand for dental hygienists has driven wages nationwide, with new graduates in North Idaho earning $50 per hour, up from $32 an hour in 2008.

The next cohort of NIC dental hygiene students starts in January. The program admits students every other year with the next application cycle opening in June 2026 for enrollment in January 2027.

"NIC is not just building careers,” McClelland said. “It’s strengthening the healthcare fabric of North Idaho.”