High School students learn about dental health professions― including dentist, dental hygienist, dental assistant, dental therapist, and dental lab technician―in this one-day workshop.
The agenda includes: hands-on activities, information on the prerequisites needed to apply to dental training programs and admissions preparation, and additional opportunities for furthering their interest in a dental career.
More ways to explore oral health careers
Oral Health Career Connections
The Wisconsin Oral Health Program (OHP) has created a learning experience for those interested in oral health careers! Connect to dental profession students or dental professionals throughout Wisconsin. There are four different levels of connection opportunities:
- Meet a dental profession student (for example, dental assistant, dental hygiene, dental lab tech, or dental students).
- Meet a dental professional (for example, dental assistant, dental hygienist, dental lab tech, or dentist).
- Shadow a dental professional.
- Employment opportunities.
Connection opportunities provides an opportunity for students from all backgrounds and lived experiences to learn about oral health careers. These opportunities are self-paced, where students are expected to facilitate their learning experience with a dental professional.
Please reach out to the OHP at DHSOralHealthPathway@dhs.wisconsin.gov with any questions or comments.
Complete the Oral Health Connection Opportunities Form by clicking the image above and the OHP staff will connect you with a dental profession student or dental professional based on the information you provide in your form.
Past Future Oral Health Workforce Day Workshops
Since 2023, Wisconsin AHEC has hosted Future Oral Health Workforce Day workshops reaching over 620 high school students participants at the following partner sites and communities:
- Black River Falls: Ho-Chunk Nation Health Center
- Cashton: Scenic Bluffs Community Health Center
- Eau Claire: Chippewa Valley Technical College
- Fennimore: Southwest Technical College
- Green Bay: Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
- Janesville: HealthNet of Rock County & Blackhawk Technical College
- Keshena: Menominee Tribal Clinic
- Lac Du Flambeau: Peter Christensen Dental Clinic
- Milwaukee: Milwaukee Area Technical College
- New Richmond: Northwood Technical College
- Rice Lake: Northwood Technical College
- Sheboygan: Lakeshore Community Health Care
- Wausau: Northcentral Technical College
Click the image below to learn more about our past Future Oral Health Workforce Day Workshops!
Explore Oral Health Careers
Wisconsin Dental Youth Apprenticeship
A Youth Apprenticeship (YA) is a 1–2 year earn-while-you-learn program for high school juniors and seniors. Students gain paid, on-the-job training with an employer plus related classes, preparing them for success after high school.
Dental Assistant
Dental assistants help dentists by increasing productivity, safety, and efficiency.
Dental Hygienist
Dental hygienists work with patients to provide preventive oral health care.
Dental Lab Technician
Dental lab technicians work in a dental lab, using detailed written instructions and molds or scans of the patient’s teeth and/or soft tissues to create dental devices.
Dental Therapist
Dental therapists work as part of a dentist-led team to provide dental care to patients.
Dentist
Dentists are doctors who provide oral health care through evaluation, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases of the mouth.
