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.
Stay tuned for our schedule of 2025-26 school year workshops!
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
Wisconsin AHEC hosted 7 Future Oral Health Workforce Day workshops with over 150 high school students participants throughout the 2023-24 school year at the following partner sites and communities:
- Milwaukee: Milwaukee Area Technical College
- Lac Du Flambeau: Peter Christensen Dental Clinic
- Cashton: Scenic Bluffs Community Health Center
- Janesville: HealthNet of Rock County & Blackhawk Technical College
- Eau Claire: Chippewa Valley Technical College
- Rice Lake: Northwood Technical College
- Green Bay: Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Click the image below to learn more about our 2023-24 Future Oral Health Workforce Day Workshops!
Explore Oral Health Careers
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.
