Delta Dental of Wisconsin Foundation provides $2 million to Technical College Dental Workforce Program improvement

This article was originally published on World Now.

Today, the Delta Dental of Wisconsin (DDWI) Foundation announced the distribution of matching funds to 14 Wisconsin technical colleges to fund the expansion of oral health workforce programs in the state.

In January, Governor Tony Evers signed Wisconsin Act 89 into law, which allocates $20 million “for oral healthcare workforce initiatives set aside for the Wisconsin Technical College System in the Joint Finance Committee’s supplemental appropriation during the 2023-25 biennial budget process.” Each college was required to match 20% of their funding request to the Joint Finance Committee. To further its mission of expanding access to dental care, ensuring a strong dental workforce, and improving the oral health of underserved and vulnerable populations, the DDWI Foundation pledged to match a portion (up to $2 million in aggregate) of the State's funding of colleges’ approved initiatives.

“Delta Dental of Wisconsin looks forward to continuing its partnership with technical colleges across Wisconsin in support of their oral health workforce programs,” said Shannon Semmerling, executive director, Delta Dental of Wisconsin Foundation.

“The Delta Dental of Wisconsin Foundation’s matching funds to the Wisconsin Technical College System, in support of Wisconsin Act 89, significantly expands the state’s dental workforce. This grant will allow us to introduce two advanced career fields – dental therapy and expanded function dental auxiliary (EFDA) programs – new to Wisconsin,” said Layla Merrifield, president of the Wisconsin Technical College System. “This generous matching fund, combined with the state’s budget appropriation, will help us address the impending wave of retirements in the dental profession. Adding mid-level professionals through dental therapy and EFDA and increasing the number of dental hygienists will enhance patient care and boost the oral health of our most vulnerable populations. Strong partnerships between technical colleges and Wisconsin employers continue to be a cornerstone of our state’s success – providing a competitive edge in economic and public health outcomes,” Merrifield added.

Nationally, surveys have shown that one-third of dental assistants and dental hygienists expect to retire within the next five years, hence the need to be proactive in fortifying the workforce to avoid oral care access issues. “The funding and subsequent program augmentations will go a long way to inspire oral health careers and ultimately help secure oral health accessibility for neighbors throughout Wisconsin,” said Semmerling.

Funds will primarily be used to establish nine new dental hygienist, dental assistant, dental therapy, or EFDA programs – and expand or improve 13 current programs – by purchasing additional equipment and facility improvements. Colleges receiving funds are:

• Blackhawk Technical College
• Chippewa Valley Technical College
• Fox Valley Technical College
• Gateway Technical College
• Lakeshore Technical College
• Madison Area Technical College
• Mid-State Technical College
• Milwaukee Area Technical College
• Northcentral Technical College
• Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
• Northwood Technical College
• Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
• Waukesha County Technical College
• Western Technical College

Funds will be distributed to colleges through the summer. You can read more about each college’s program request here.

About Delta Dental of Wisconsin Foundation
For more than 60 years, Delta Dental of Wisconsin (DDWI) has been working to maintain healthy communities and healthy teeth. DDWI provides dental and vision benefits to businesses and individuals. Through its Foundation, DDWI is committed to advancing solutions for Wisconsin’s oral health by initiating, collaborating with, and supporting programs that extend access to dental care, ensure a strong dental workforce, and improve the oral health of underserved and vulnerable populations.

Delta Dental of Wisconsin is headquartered in Stevens Point, with a sales office in Milwaukee. As part of the nationwide Delta Dental Plans Association, DDWI joins 38 other Delta Dental plans to serve more than 90 million Americans with dental insurance.