Eastern Florida State College Launches $7.8 Million Expansion of Dental Programs on Cocoa Campus

EFSC Expansion Aims to Reduce Dental Care Shortages Across the Space Coast

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Eastern Florida State College is launching a transformative expansion of its dental hygiene and dental assisting programs to better serve students and residents across Florida’s Space Coast with strong support from community partners.

The $7.8 million initiative involves relocating and upgrading the programs into a larger, renovated facility—Building 3 on the Cocoa Campus (Health Sciences Building)—enabling EFSC to double its capacity for training dental professionals and significantly increase access to affordable dental care for the community.

To help make this project possible, the college is seeking a $3.3 million investment from the State of Florida, matched by $3.3 million in federal funding.

The remaining $1.2 million is expected to be provided through local community support, including a funding request currently under review by the Space Coast Health Foundation.

“The partnership between the State of Florida, the federal government, and our community partners is both significant and strategic,” said College President, Dr. Jim Richey.

“It represents an essential investment in Florida’s health care workforce pipeline and in the dental health care of citizens on Florida’s Space Coast.”

The initiative has already garnered strong support. It will be sponsored and championed in the Florida State Legislature by Representative Tyler Sirois and Senator Debbie Mayfield. U.S. Representative Mike Haridopolos will advance it during the Congressional session.

Additionally, local support includes the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast, the City of Cocoa, the Space Coast Health Foundation, and individuals such as Guy and Delores Spearman and Tara Pagliarini with Family Promise.

Increasing Demand for Dental Professionals

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2024, over 57 million Americans were impacted by dental health professional shortages; furthermore, dental care proved unaffordable for more people than any other form of health care.

As a result, vulnerable populations, such as adults over age 65 without health insurance and low-income children under age 17, are less likely to schedule annual dental visits and more likely to have untreated dental conditions that affect their families, communities, and their own quality of life.

The current Eastern Florida State College dental program serves community members, providing affordable preventive care for both children and seniors.

However, the size of the current training facility impacts the number of patients served, leading to lengthy, growing waitlists of patients who may not receive timely treatment. To meet these needs, expansion is a must.

Space Coast Health Foundation CEO and President Johnette Gindling voiced strong support for the expansion, stating: “EFSC has long been a cornerstone in our community, educating future dental professionals while directly addressing the dental health needs of our most vulnerable neighbors.”

Cocoa Mayor Mike Blake praised the expansion plan, noting its critical impact on underserved populations.

“It provides invaluable service to many of the children and seniors in our community who would not be able to obtain the dental care they need without the College,” said Blake.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of dental hygienists and assistants will grow faster than average nationwide over the next ten years. Florida’s continuously expanding aging population creates an increased demand for dental health services.

Additionally, the Space Coast’s booming aerospace and technology fields continue to attract career professionals and employers to the area.

“Those employers who are deciding to relocate to Florida’s Space Coast are expecting our state to ensure the dental health care needs of their families and employees,” said Lynda Weatherman, President and CEO of the Economic Development Commission.

“I appreciate President Jim Richey going above and beyond to ensure EFSC does its part in contributing to the success of Florida’s vibrant future.”

Enhancing Eastern Florida State College’s Dental Programs

To meet this ever-growing need, EFSC will relocate and expand its dental program to Building 3 on its Cocoa Campus—a move that will increase the training facility’s space from 7,000 to 13,000 square feet.

In addition to roadside visibility, direct community access, and more available parking spaces for the public, the relocation will increase the number of available dental stations from 12 to 30, allowing dental students to serve two to three times more patients.

Dr. Mary Bruno, EFSC’s Program Manager for Dental Assisting, sees the expansion as providing exciting, hands-on opportunities for students.

“The new space will have state-of-the-art equipment, such as a 3D printer and scanner, which will allow for the creation and fitting of dentures and bridges for community members,” said Dr. Bruno. “This gives Dental Assisting and Hygiene students real-world experience that prepares them for success in today’s dental field.”

Alongside the new 3D printer, the facility will feature upgraded dental chairs, as well as X-ray, diagnostic, and other lab equipment needed to operate the facility. Most significantly, the expansion will double class capacity, allowing more students to be accepted into these limited-access programs.

“With a larger clinic, we will be able to see more patients and provide preventive services to those in need,” said Jessica Milford, EFSC’s Dental Hygiene Program Manager. “All at a far more affordable rate than typical dental offices.”

Giving Back to the Community

The Eastern Florida State College Dental Facility serves as a low-cost dental clinic, providing routine care, such as cleanings, x-rays, sealants, and other preventive services, to community members who would not otherwise receive the care they need.

This preventive care helps reduce emergency room visits related to untreated dental health issues, helping avoid the high costs of medical interventions.

“For families facing housing instability and financial distress, such access removes a critical barrier to health and confidence, directly contributing to their ability to stabilize and thrive,” said Tara Pagliarini, Executive Director of Family Promise of Brevard.

“The planned expansion of EFSC’s Dental Clinic represents a significant opportunity to improve community health outcomes by increasing service capacity and reducing wait times for those most in need.”

Furthermore, EFSC’s efforts help prepare and educate children in surrounding communities regarding the importance of maintaining their dental health. Children ages 4-17 receive free preventive care thanks to generous underwriting from the Guy and Delores Spearman Happy Smiles, Happy Kids Fund through the EFSC Foundation.

Free services for children include cleanings, x-rays, sealants, and fluoride treatments, available year-round.

“Eastern Florida’s planned expansion of its dental facility is truly wonderful news for our community,” said Delores Spearman.

“It opens the door for even more access to quality preventive dental care—especially for our elderly and our youth, who often need it most. By providing low-cost or even no-cost services, this initiative will make a meaningful difference in the health and well-being of families throughout our area. A great step forward for community care!”

Investing in the Space Coast’s Future

EFSC’s expanded dental facilities will not only ensure the Space Coast continues to meet the dental health needs of its citizens but will also double the number of graduates ready to enter high-demand, high-wage dental professions that contribute to Florida’s healthy economy.

The investment will expand and modernize the program to meet and exceed accreditation standards, expand service quality and capacity, and ensure long-term sustainability with room for expansion in the future.

In helping meet Governor DeSantis’s challenge to make Florida the top state in the nation for workforce education by 2030, EFSC’s dental expansion project will strengthen Florida’s health care education, improve its community outcomes, and support workforce readiness, ensuring that the Space Coast’s dental offices have trained and certified employees.

This strategic investment in the health and prosperity of Florida’s Space Coast shows what is possible when education and community come together.

For more information about Eastern Florida State College or its dental programs, visit easternflorida.edu.

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