'Proud to invest:' Governor Evers to propose spending $43 million on rural dental care

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers says he plans to propose spending more than $43 million over the next two years to expand access to dental care in Wisconsin, particularly in underserved rural areas.

“Increasing dental access across our state requires a comprehensive approach,” said Gov. Evers. “These are critically important initiatives and I’m proud to invest in these programs that will improve the health and wellness of folks all over Wisconsin.”

The Eau Claire Leader-Telegram reported Monday that more than $16 million is targeted to increase reimbursement rates for dental providers who see patients on Medicaid.

The governor's proposal also includes creating a "dental therapist licensure," allowing for a midlevel dental provider to address a shortage of providers across Wisconsin.

More than 200 dentists are estimated to be needed in Wisconsin for high shortage areas.

Evers also wants to allocate $60,000 each of the next two years to pay for loan repayments of dentists who opt to serve rural areas. He also wants to spend nearly $1.3 million more on grants for dental clinics that serve low-income patients.