Press Release

Concorde Career Colleges and Heartland Dental Kick-Off Construction of Fort Myers Campus

Concorde Staff

Concorde Staff

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Updated April 14, 2025. The information contained in this blog is current and accurate as of this date.
Concorde and Heartland Dental leaders at Fort Myers campus groundbreaking ceremony, holding gold shovels and wearing hard hats.

Pictured from left: Travis Franklin, Chief Financial Officer, Heartland Dental; Kevin Prehn, President of Concorde Career Colleges, Jen Spurlin, Chief Operating Officer, Concorde Career Colleges, Dr. Rick Workman, Founder & Executive Chairman of Heartland Dental; and Todd Hitchcock, EVP & Chief Operating Officer of Universal Technical Institute, Inc.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FORT MYERS, Fla., April 14, 2025 – Concorde Career Colleges, the healthcare division of Universal Technical Institute, Inc., and Heartland Dental kicked-off construction for the new Concorde-Fort Myers campus last week. The first-of-its-kind campus is part of a unique partnership to help address Heartland Dental’s significant need for dental hygienists and dental assistants in high-demand regions like southwest Florida.

“Just eight months ago we announced that our first co-branded campus would be here in Fort Myers. Today, we stand at that location. We’re grateful for Heartland’s longstanding investment in our programs and students—and excited for what the future holds as we embark on this next phase of our groundbreaking partnership,” said Kevin Prehn, president of Concorde Career Colleges, at the event.

The Fort Myers campus will train up to 190 dental hygienists and dental assistants annually, using Concorde’s curriculum, instructors and student support services. Heartland is funding the construction, including durable equipment and initial supplies, as well as providing student scholarships.

“We recognize the urgent need for skilled hygienists and dental assistants in the communities we serve. The opportunity to establish this co-branded campus with Concorde is a remarkable step toward addressing that need. With their deep expertise, strong curriculum, and proven track record in training healthcare professionals, we knew Concorde was the ideal partner for this venture,” said Dr. Rick Workman, founder and executive chairman of Heartland Dental.
 

Concorde and Heartland Dental leaders at Fort Myers campus groundbreaking ceremony, holding gold shovels and wearing hard hats.


“This partnership with Heartland will increase jobs for area residents, improve access to quality dental care, and positively contribute to the overall wellbeing of the community. That is exactly the kind of impact we strive for—one that brings students, employers, and communities together,” said Todd Hitchcock, chief operating officer, Universal Technical Institute, Inc.

Nationwide, employment of dental hygienists and dental assistants is projected to grow by 9% and 8%, respectively, from 2023 to 2033, which is faster than average for all occupations. In regions like Southwest Florida, the demand is significantly higher. In Lee County, where Fort Myers is located, dental hygienists and dental assistants have a 14% projected job growth from 2024-2032.

“Now more than ever, employers and educators must partner on innovative solutions to meet that unprecedented demand. Our partnership with Heartland is a great example of this kind of innovative partnership between employers and educators,” added Prehn.

Heartland Dental has collaborated with Concorde for several years to address its need for dental hygienists, including student scholarships, company-sponsored dental hygiene labs on campus, and graduate pinning ceremonies. The company also sponsors Concorde's annual Children’s Dental Health Month events that offer free dental services for kids across the nation.

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About Concorde Career Colleges

Concorde Career Colleges, the healthcare division of Universal Technical Institute (www.uti.edu), (NYSE: UTI), operates 17 healthcare focused campuses across eight states and online under the brands Concorde Career College and Concorde Career Institute, preparing America’s next generation of health care and dental professionals for rewarding careers. The Concorde blended education model combines online coursework with in-person lab classes and clinical settings. Concorde’s 25 student-focused academic programs and personalized support prepares graduates for in-demand careers in nursing, dental, respiratory, diagnostic, and other healthcare roles. Concorde schools are accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) and the Council on Occupational Education (COE). For more information, visit concorde.edu or uti.edu or, or visit us on LinkedIn at @Concorde Career Colleges and @UniversalTechnicalInstitute or on X (formerly Twitter) at @ConcordeCareer or @news_UTI.


About Heartland Dental

Heartland Dental is the nation's largest dental support organization providing non-clinical, administrative support services. What started from the entrepreneurial spirit of Rick Workman, DMD, with his single dental practice, has evolved into affiliating with over 3,000 doctors in over 1,800 locations across 39 states and the District of Columbia. The company is majority owned by KKR, a leading global investment firm. For additional information, please visit heartland.com.

  1. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook for Dental Hygienists and Dental Assistants nationally, 2023-2033, viewed April 11, 2025.

  2. Source: Florida Department of Commerce, Employment Projections for Dental Hygienists and Dental Assistants in Lee County 2024-2032, viewed April 11, 2025.
     

  1. Program length may be subject to change dependent on transfer credits and course load. Please refer to current course catalog for more information. Concorde does not guarantee admittance, graduation, subsequent employment or salary amount.

  2. Professional certification is not a requirement for graduation, may not be a requirement for employment nor does it guarantee employment.

  3. Financial aid is available to those who qualify but may not be available for all programs. Concorde does not guarantee financial aid or scholarship awards or amounts.

  4. Clinical hour requirements and delivery may vary by campus location and may be subject to change. Concorde does not guarantee clinical site assignments based upon student preference or geographic convenience; nor do clinical experiences guarantee graduation, post-clinical employment or salary outcomes.

  5. Registration and certification requirements for taking and passing these examinations are not controlled by Concorde, but by outside agencies, and are subject to change by the agency without notice. Therefore, Concorde cannot guarantee that graduates will be eligible to take these exams, at all or at any specific time, regardless of their eligibility status upon enrollment.

  6. Externships are a non-paid in-person learning experience, whose length and location may be subject to change. Concorde does not guarantee externship placement, graduation, post-externship employment or salary outcomes.