STEVENS POINT, Wis. — Aspirus Health Foundation has pledged $500,000 over the next three years to help expand dental services for underserved communities in central Wisconsin.
The funding will support Noble Community Clinics’ ambitious $18 million project to add 15 dental operatories at its Stevens Point location. According to officials, this expansion will significantly improve access to oral health care across the region.
The donation comes from donor-restricted contributions specifically earmarked for oral health initiatives, Aspirus officials said in a statement.
Once completed, the expansion is expected to more than double the clinic’s dental care capacity. Noble projects that approximately 15,000 patients will be served each year, with 75% receiving dental services. The clinic currently sees a largely low-income population—80% of dental patients are on Medicaid, while the remaining 20% are uninsured or underinsured.
“Access to dental care is one of the most significant unmet health needs in our community,” said Laura Waldvogel, CEO of Noble Community Clinics.
The upgraded facility will feature 21 treatment rooms, including specialized spaces for pediatric and special needs patients.
It will also include modern imaging and sterilization areas to improve workflow and patient care.
Noble Community Clinics provides preventive, restorative, and emergency dental services. These efforts aim to reduce unnecessary emergency room visits and address dental conditions before they lead to more serious health problems.
Access to dental care has long been a challenge in central Wisconsin, particularly for Medicaid recipients and uninsured residents. Officials point to rural geography and a shortage of providers who accept Medicaid as major barriers to care.
Aspirus Health operates a network of hospitals and clinics throughout Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Noble Community Clinics runs multiple locations across central Wisconsin, offering medical and dental care to those most in need.
