As the dental landscape in Wisconsin shifts, the state grapples with a shortage of providers, especially in rural areas. The exodus of baby boomer dentists, coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic prompting earlier retirements, has left many small towns struggling to find replacements.
Scott Nicol, a dentist who returned to his hometown of Tomah in 1973, spent over 40 years serving his community. However, when the time came to retire, he faced a significant challenge: finding a young dentist willing to take over his practice. After two years of searching, Nicol found his successor in Lucas Schwartz, a former patient who was inspired by his own experiences as a child.
The generational shift in Wisconsin’s dental workforce is reflected in the state’s numbers. According to the American Dental Association, a third of the state’s dentists were baby boomers in 2020, with millennials comprising the same portion. By 2023, millennials made up nearly half of the state’s dental professionals, while baby boomers made up just 25%. This generational shift has been especially pronounced in rural areas, where fewer young dentists are willing to relocate, citing the challenges of living in smaller communities with fewer amenities.
The shortage is particularly dire in rural counties, where 30 out of 45 are considered dental health professional shortage areas. In comparison, only four of the state’s 27 metropolitan counties face similar challenges. Young dentists often gravitate toward urban areas, attracted by better job opportunities for their spouses, urban amenities, and the potential for higher earnings. Many recent graduates also face significant student debt, which makes the prospect of starting a practice in rural areas even more difficult.
However, some changes are being made to address this issue. Wisconsin has introduced several state initiatives to incentivize young dentists to practice in underserved areas. In 2023, the state launched a program allowing Marquette University dental school graduates to bypass the usual practical exam, helping them get licensed more quickly and encouraging them to stay in Wisconsin. Additionally, a new state scholarship awards $30,000 annually to dental students who agree to work in shortage areas for at least 18 months. In 2024, Wisconsin also began licensing dental therapists, mid-level providers who work under a dentist’s supervision to perform routine dental procedures.
While these efforts are beginning to show promise, the reality remains that rural areas will continue to face challenges in securing qualified dental professionals. As more dentists retire, the pressure mounts to attract younger practitioners who may find the prospect of rural practice less appealing.
Despite these challenges, the example set by Nicol and Schwartz offers a hopeful perspective. Schwartz, who benefited from the state’s incentives, is now serving his community, providing care to a population in need. His decision to return to Tomah shows that while attracting young dentists to rural areas can be difficult, local ties, community support, and state incentives can make the prospect more appealing. As Schwartz notes, “Treatments may have changed, but having patient rapport, talking to people, and having that connection, is still the best value I think that dentistry has, especially in a family clinic.”
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