A need for more oral health training led the Wisconsin Legislature to invest $20 million into Wisconsin technical colleges.
The money will be used to upgrade labs and enroll hundreds more students, aiming to graduate more hygienists and assistants into the workforce.
The dental field, especially in rural areas, according to Wisconsin Public Radio, has found it hard to attract new workers. Wisconsin Watch reports that too few dental hygienists and assistants have entered the workforce to replace retirees. Most hygienists and assistants are trained at technical schools.
Currently, technical colleges in the state can train about 2,200 students in oral health professions each year. The new funding will help to increase enrollment by about 10 percent.
Madison College recently opened a new dental clinic for its Dental Assisting and Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary in September. The $3.08 million project includes 15 computer-equipped dental chairs, a sterilization center and advanced learning technology.
The 3,500-square-foot facility was funded in part by a $1.43 million Expanded Oral Health Program grant and a $143,000 contribution from Delta Dental.
