SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – A new dental school is coming to Vermont that could help ease the growing shortage of dentists in the state.
The agreement between the Vermont State Dental Society and the University of Detroit Mercy would create Vermont’s first dental educational clinic.
The University of Detroit Mercy has seen high demand for their dental programs, so beginning in 2027, 32 students who start school in Detroit will finish their last two years of dentistry education in Vermont.
Officials hope some of the dental students will stay and make a home in Vermont, filling a significant need for more dentists.
“The dental school clinic would bring a strong educational opportunity to the area, while also introducing the beauty of living and working in Vermont to many new young professionals. A dental school clinic would also bring a solid, consistent workforce to the area, which parallels our two main challenges at VSDS year in and year out, dental workforce and access to care for our population, especially our most vulnerable,” said Justin Hurlburt of the Vermont State Dental Society.
Sens. Bernie Sanders and Peter Welch hope to secure more than $4 million for this venture as part of the current appropriations bill.
The organizers say they’ve located an 18,000-square-foot building to house the clinic, but are not ready to disclose the location.