Wisconsin technical colleges are upgrading their oral health programs after receiving a $20 million funding boost from the state legislature to help alleviate workforce shortages, Wisconsin Watch reported Oct. 23.
Forty-two of the state’s 72 counties are affected by shortages, according to data from the Human Resources & Services Administration. An uneven share of dentists are also practicing in metropolitan areas versus rural areas.
The Wisconsin Technical College System trains about 2,200 students in oral health professions each year. In addition to investing in new programs, labs and equipment, the schools will use the funds to increase enrollment by about 10%.
