Over $1.2M Awarded for Oral Healthcare Education at Lakeshore Technical College
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
5/16/2024
CLEVELAND, WI —
Lakeshore Technical College is receiving over $1.2 million of the $20 million unanimously approved May 7 by the state’s Joint Finance Committee for Wisconsin’s technical colleges to expand the state’s oral healthcare workforce. The funds will support the college’s recently announced plans to add an accredited dental hygiene associate degree program.
“We especially thank Senator Duey Strobel and Representative Terry Katsma, who represent portions of Lakeshore's district and serve as vice chairs of the Joint Finance Committee, for their support and investment in our college, students, and community," said Lakeshore President Dr. Paul Carlsen. “With average starting wages for dental hygienists sitting around $39 per hour in our area, these are in-demand jobs offering family-sustaining wages.”
According to Carlsen, the college is adding the dental hygiene program in response to requests from local dentists who, like others across the state and country, are facing difficulties filling open positions. He says the college has identified more than 160 open positions within the Lakeshore service district.
Lakeshore currently offers a dental assistant program. Carlsen says there is some duplication between the programs though the more advanced hygiene program focuses on the science, hygiene, radiography, pharmacology, and pathology of dentistry. Dental hygiene graduates can complete the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam to become licensed registered dental hygienists, able to perform procedures including teeth cleanings, fluoride treatments, x-ray processing, and others.
Funding will allow Lakeshore to double the capacity it originally anticipated when it announced it was pursuing a dental hygiene program in December. Lakeshore will remodel existing space and its on-site dental clinic, and purchase equipment to accommodate 10 students in each of its dental programs.
Carlsen says Lakeshore’s next step is to complete the accreditation process through the Commission on Dental Accreditation, which is approximately an 18-month process.
The LTC Foundation is raising additional funds to complete the $2.1 million project in time for classes to begin by fall 2026.
For information about Lakeshore’s programs, visit gotoltc.edu.
About Lakeshore Technical College
Lakeshore Technical College is a comprehensive community and technical college educating more than 9,000 students annually. Students enroll at Lakeshore to master real-world, employable career skills and start their pursuit of a bachelor’s degree. Lakeshore faculty and staff are focused on providing each student an individualized learning experience.
Lakeshore Technical College is a nationally recognized two-year college. The college was ranked #2 in the nation by Washington Monthly, #17 in the nation by Forbes, #20 in the nation by WalletHub.com, a top-150 two-year college by the Aspen Institute, a 2024 Bellwether Award winner, and named the 2021 Large Business/Industry of the Year by the Chamber of Manitowoc County.
Approximately 800 students graduate from Lakeshore each year, and associate degree graduates report earning a median salary of $55,698 within six months of graduating. In addition to the Cleveland campus, Lakeshore educates students at learning campuses in downtown Manitowoc and downtown Sheboygan. Classes are also offered at additional sites throughout the district. Visit Lakeshore at gotoltc.edu.
