Aspirus Foundation pledges $500,000 for central Wisconsin dental expansion

STEVENS POINT – A $500,000 commitment from Aspirus Health Foundation will help expand dental services for underserved residents across central Wisconsin.
The three-year pledge will support Noble Community Clinics’ $18 million initiative to add 15 dental operatories at its Stevens Point facility, significantly increasing access to oral health care in the area, officials said in a news release.
The funding comes from donor-restricted gifts specifically designated for addressing oral health needs in the region, according to Aspirus officials.
Noble’s expansion will more than double dental care capacity in the Stevens Point area, with officials projecting the clinic will serve approximately 15,000 patients annually. About 75% of those patients are expected to receive dental services.
The clinic currently serves a predominantly low-income population, with 80% of dental patients covered by Medicaid and another 20% 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 expanded facility will feature 21 treatment rooms, including specialized operatories for pediatric and special needs patients, along with imaging and sterilization areas designed to improve patient flow.
Noble provides preventive, restorative and emergency dental care aimed at reducing unnecessary emergency room visits and preventing complications from untreated dental conditions.
Central Wisconsin has faced persistent challenges in dental care access, particularly for Medicaid patients and uninsured residents, officials said. The region’s rural geography and limited number of dental providers accepting Medicaid have created barriers to care.
Aspirus Health operates hospitals and clinics throughout Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Noble Community Clinics serves patients across central Wisconsin with multiple clinic locations.