The Wisconsin Dental Association today announced the launch of InspireSmiles, a statewide, multi-year public awareness campaign aimed at encouraging young people to pursue careers in the dental health profession. The campaign is one way the WDA is addressing the dental workforce shortage being felt in Wisconsin and across the country.

“We know that the dental office is a special, team-oriented place where we work hard, have fun and help patients achieve their perfect smile and optimal oral health,” said WDA President Dr. Christopher Johnson, a general dentist in Eau Claire. “With InspireSmiles, we’re telling everyone how great working on the dental team can be.”

Dentists across the state and nation report challenges recruiting staff, especially dental assistants and hygienists. Those challenges were starting to become apparent even before the COVID-19 pandemic, which exacerbated the problem. The shortage not only affects dentists, who are struggling to keep up with patient care because their dental teams are shrinking, but it also affects public oral health because it is taking longer for patients to get appointments for routine care.

Through the use of digital advertising and social media content on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, InspireSmiles will encourage young people in their late teens and 20s to consider jobs on the dental team as a dental assistant, dental hygienist or front office staff. InspireSmiles messaging will focus on the benefits of these jobs, such as flexibility and work-life balance, team camaraderie, good pay and benefits, the opportunity to help people and growth/personal fulfillment. WDA member dentists and their teams will be involved in producing much of the content, highlighting in their own words and ways how dental team careers are a great way to make a difference.

InspireSmiles will also provide tools to help young people learn more and take next steps toward dental careers. A companion website, InspireSmilesWI.com, includes videos, job descriptions, job listings, links to training/education programs and more. The website also includes resources to help dentists recruit and train staff for their teams.

“There’s so much in the works,” said Dr. Johnson. “We’re very excited about InspireSmiles and its potential to evolve, encourage young people to take this rewarding path and provide real solutions to Wisconsin’s dental workforce crisis.”

Visit InspireSmilesWI.com to learn more. You can follow the campaign on Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok, or by following the hashtag #inspiresmiles. The WDA invites media partners, community partners and dental offices to get involved. Contact the WDA by emailing inspiresmileswi@gmail.com to see how you can help us solve the dental workforce shortage.

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