Vermont Expands Dental Education to Tackle Dentist Shortage
In a historic partnership, the Vermont State Dental Society and University of Detroit Mercy are establishing a Dental Oral Health Education Center in Vermont, addressing the state’s dental provider shortage. With federal support, this initiative aims to expand access to care and train a new generation of oral health professionals.
In a groundbreaking effort to address Vermont’s dental care shortage, the Vermont State Dental Society (VSDS) has partnered with the University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) to establish a Dental Oral Health Education Center in the state. Slated for completion in 2027, the center will provide clinical education to dental students while significantly expanding access to dental care in underserved areas. The program was recently accredited by the Commission of Dental Accreditation, a critical milestone in its development.
The state senate is looking to secure $4.6 million in federal funding to support the initiative. The funding, recently approved by the Appropriations Committee, would help establish a teaching clinic where UDM students will complete their clinical training in Vermont. The clinic will serve as a public health Medicaid facility, offering much-needed care to underserved populations, particularly in rural areas with limited dental services.
The new dental program will include 2 years of foundational education at UDM’s Detroit campus, followed by two years of clinical training at the Vermont-based clinic in Colchester. This partnership aims to reduce long waitlists and dental provider shortages, improving access to care for Vermont residents while educating the next generation of dentists. Click here to read more.
