STURGEON BAY, Wis. — Door County Medical Center (DCMC) has signed a letter of intent with Green Bay-based N.E.W. Community Clinic to transfer operations of its Sturgeon Bay Dental Clinic to the regional care provider. The transition is expected to begin on January 1, 2025.
Although management will change, the dental clinic will remain at its current location at 228 S. 18th Avenue in Sturgeon Bay. Patients will continue receiving care from the same dental providers and staff, who will stay on under the new arrangement. DCMC will retain ownership of the facility, while N.E.W. will lease the dental space.
According to a joint press release, both organizations are working together to ensure a smooth transition. Patients of the current DCMC Dental Clinic will become part of N.E.W. Community Clinic’s care network.
DCMC officials said the decision supports the hospital’s focus on its core services while expanding dental care access for underinsured and uninsured residents. As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), N.E.W. Community Clinic can tap into more federal and state resources, enabling the potential expansion of services — including use of a mobile dental unit to reach rural communities.
“This transition is difficult for us because we’re proud of what our dental team has accomplished,” said DCMC CEO Brian Stephens. “But it’s critical for the sustainability of those services. N.E.W. brings a strong track record of innovative outreach, including its new mobile unit. This partnership allows us to build on our work and serve even more patients.”
Founded in 1999, the DCMC Dental Clinic was created to meet community demand for affordable dental care. It began by serving children and later expanded to provide services for adults on Medicaid or those without insurance who fall below 200% of the federal poverty level. The clinic currently completes about 5,000 appointments annually, funded through donations, grants, and DCMC support.
N.E.W. Community Clinic CEO Kim Franzen praised DCMC’s legacy and said the partnership will strengthen local access to care. “DCMC created a strong foundation, and we’ll use it to reach more people in need,” Franzen said. “We’re already collaborating to prepare for the transition and planning new programs to launch in Door County in early 2025.”
Beyond dental care, N.E.W. offers physical and behavioral health services that may be introduced as part of its expanded presence in the region. Door County currently has one behavioral health provider for every 740 residents, compared to the state average of one for every 440 residents, the release noted.
Founded in 1971 as a University of Wisconsin–Green Bay student project, N.E.W. Community Clinic now serves more than 10,000 people each year. Its services span medical, dental, behavioral health, and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) programs. It operates multiple locations across the Green Bay area, including mobile units and services for the homeless, and emphasizes care for underserved communities regardless of ability to pay.