Future Oral Health Workforce Day

High School students learn about dental health professions― including dentist, dental hygienist, dental assistant, 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.

2024 - 2025 Future Oral Health Workforce Day Workshops

Fall 2024 workshops

Workshop Date & Time Location Application Deadline Application Link
Thursday, October 24, 9:00 – 1:00pm Southwest Technical College
Fennimore, WI
Friday, October 18 Application closed
Friday, October 25, 9:00 – 1:00pm Menominee Tribal Clinic
Keshena, WI
Monday, September 30 Application closed
Wednesday, October 30, 9:45 – 2:00pm Milwaukee Area Technical College
Milwaukee, WI
Monday, September 30 Application closed
Friday, November 15, 9:00 – 1:00pm HealthNet of Rock County
Janesville, WI
Friday, October 11 Application closed
Tuesday, November 26, 9:00 – 2:00pm Chippewa Valley Technical College
Eau Claire, WI
Wednesday, October 30 Application closed
Thursday, December 12, time TBD Northwood Technical College
Rice Lake, WI
TBD Opens mid-November

Spring 2025 workshops

Workshop Date & Time Location Application Deadline Application Link
Tuesday, April 15, 12:00 – 4:00pm Lakeshore Community Health Care
1721 Saemann Ave, Sheboygan, WI
Monday, April 8 Opens March 1

Future Oral Health Workforce Day Workshops are open to all Wisconsin-based high school students. Given Wisconsin AHEC’s mission to increase the diversity and distribution of the healthcare workforce we prioritize serving learners who identify as coming from rural or lower-resourced communities and backgrounds.

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.

Dentist

Dentists are doctors who provide oral health care through evaluation, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases of the mouth.