Northcentral Technical College (NTC) in Wausau, WI, will receive a $2.2 million grant to establish the state's inaugural dental therapy training program.
With state funding, NTC plans to launch the program by fall 2025, adding eight chairs to their dental clinic and a simulation lab for student training.
The college will hire a dentist to supervise students providing both restorative and preventive care to over 1,000 patients annually. Additionally, NTC will introduce an expanded function dental auxiliary certificate program, broadening the scope for dental assistants.
Wisconsin's Joint Finance Committee allocated the grant for oral health care workforce shortages via a bipartisan bill passed in January. This funding addresses the shortage of dental care workers in the state.
