Technical schools within the Wisconsin Technical College System are the beneficiaries of a generous grant from Delta Dental of Wisconsin Foundation. The $2 million will go towards improving and expanding career preparation programs in oral healthcare.
Schools receiving funds include:
- 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
President of Wisconsin Technical College System Layla Merrifield says, “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.”
A portion of the funding will go towards creating two new programs in advanced oral healthcare—dental therapy and expanded function dental auxiliary (EFDA) options. Both will be the first of their kind in the state of Wisconsin.
Dental hygienists are some of the highest paid jobs with an associate’s degree. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employees in this field make $87,530 per year on average. This occupational field is currently growing much faster than average as well, so graduates of these new dental education programs should have few issues finding a job.
Related: Top 20 Associate’s Degree in Dental Hygiene Programs