$2.4M in expenses

Ensuring a strong dental workforce a) The Foundation provided six scholarships to Marquette dental students in 2024. b) Scholarships are also awarded to dental hygiene and dental assisting students at nine Wisconsin technical colleges. In 2024, 27 scholarships were awarded. c) Another impactful workforce program is a public health dentistry Fellowship offered annually to three Marquette dental student graduates that serve for one year at two safety-net clinics. d) In 2024, Wisconsin Act 89 was signed into law, directing $20 million of the State budget to Wisconsin Technical College System oral health care workforce initiatives. The Foundation matched up to $2 million in aggregate to approved initiatives at 14 colleges. These funds will be used to establish nine new dental hygienist, dental assistant, dental therapy, or expanded function dental auxiliary (EFDA) programs, and expand or improve 13 current programs, by purchasing additional equipment and facility improvements.

$1.6M in expenses

Access to dental care - Due to Wisconsin's low Medicaid dental reimbursement, finding a dentist that will accept public insurance is extremely difficult. The Foundation awarded grants to 13 safety-net dental clinics that provide care to individuals who are uninsured or have Medicaid coverage. Grants are awarded for new or expanding nonprofit dental clinics, as well as those which need sustaining funds for caring for individuals with special needs or other innovative programs.

$1.0M in expenses

Prevention of dental disease - Preventing cavities and other dental disease in vulnerable populations takes a multi-pronged approach. The Foundation's cavity prevention efforts significantly reduce the cost of future dental care. a) The Foundation co-funds one of the best school-based sealant programs in the nation. In the 2023/2024 academic year, more than 86,000 children in high free-and-reduced meal rate schools received oral health education, screening and if appropriate with consent, received fluoride varnish and sealants. The program has proven a reduction in cavities rate. b) The Foundation also provides grants that help communities purchase fluoridation equipment needed to keep public water systems at optimal fluoridation levels, which helps keep teeth strong