the first classes of the "fones clinic for dental hygienists" were held in a garage behind fones' office in a carriage house at 10 washington avenue in bridgeport. despite the humble location, the school's faculty included the deans of the dental schools of pennsylvania and harvard, seven professors from yale and two from columbia, along with other noted practitioners from the united states and beyond. local dentists and professionals from japan were among the instructors. in june 1915, a total of 27 students graduated from the first class. many graduates went on to jobs with the bridgeport school district, where they played a major part in reducing dental caries in students by 75 percent.