While many rural communities in Wyoming are experiencing the expansion of technologies such as telehealth for remote access to physicians and therapists, patients needing dental care almost always need in-person access to a dentist.
The University of Wyoming and state legislative leaders' solution to providing a pipeline for supplying dentists to the state -- and making it affordable for individuals interested in a career in dentistry -- is a program called WYDENT, which is administered through the Pre-Health Advising Office in the College of Health Sciences.
The two dental schools that are part of WYDENT are the University of Nebraska College of Dentistry, located in Lincoln, Neb., and Creighton University School of Dentistry, in Omaha, Neb., with each reserving a seat for a qualified Wyoming resident.
This year, the two dental school seats reserved through WYDENT both went to UW students.
Katie Ligocki, from Sheridan, will graduate from UW in May with a B.S. in physiology. She then will attend the College of Dentistry at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Brooklynn Counts, a native of Casper and a first-generation college student, graduated in 2021 from UW-Casper with a degree in biology. She will attend Creighton University.
WYDENT is funded by the state of Wyoming. Applicants to WYDENT or their parents must be legal residents of Wyoming for five continuous years immediately before attending dental school. After graduation, dentists in the WYDENT program are required to return to Wyoming to practice for three years.
Both Ligocki and Counts are excited to return to Wyoming after dental school to provide professionally trained dental care to their communities.
"Since I've received the WYDENT scholarship, I will be coming back to Wyoming and, hopefully, to my hometown," Ligocki says. "I'm especially interested in the cosmetic side of dentistry, so I would like to hone in on that aspect in my practice."
"I fully intend to return to Wyoming," Counts says, "and, hopefully, the Casper community to be able to gain experience in the field of dentistry while helping my hometown community."
Participants in WYDENT make a modest contract payment to UW for their four years of dental school, and the state of Wyoming pays the majority of educational costs to the appropriate dental school for each student.
"WYDENT is the most incredible opportunity for Wyoming residents and, if you are passionate about dental school, I encourage you to apply," Counts says. "The financial burden that will be relieved compared to my peers and knowing I will have lessened financial stress when starting a career as a first-generation student in the field of dentistry mean I will have less financial debt, thanks to this opportunity."
"It's a huge financial relief for my family and me," Ligocki says. "It takes a big weight off my shoulders knowing the state of Wyoming is helping support me as I go through dental school."
The number of dentists returning to the state as part of the contractual agreement between dental students and UW is evidence of the success of WYDENT.
As of 2022, there are 72 dental school graduates who are now practicing in Wyoming. In addition to supplying rural communities with standard dental care, WYDENT fulfills its purpose by also bringing home dentists with specialized areas of care, such as orthodontics and pediatric dentistry.
Asked what advice Ligocki would give to any UW pre-health student considering a career in dentistry, she says, "It is hard work, sometimes, with all of the pre-dental prerequisites, but keep working hard and find people who also are working hard toward a similar goal, since it makes school more enjoyable. Keep going. Everyone's path is different, so don't let someone else's experience decide for you."
Counts agrees, saying, "If you love art, science and patient care, then dentistry could be for you. It is a looked-over industry and can be a very rewarding career. The career provides flexibility and entrepreneurship and allows you to make a community impact while doing something you are passionate about."
Ligocki credits the staff of the Pre-Health Advising Office -- Craig Vaske, manager; April French, senior academic advising professional; and Ellie Jessup, office associate -- for its support during her college journey leading to her acceptance to dental school.
Counts points to the UW-Casper community as being tight-knit and providing a more intimate experience for faculty/student interactions in helping her succeed in her academic and professional career. Counts especially credits Casper dentist Dr. Erin Prach with helping her with the dental school application process.
For UW students interested in exploring a career in health or allied health, visit the Pre-Health Advising Office website at www.uwyo.edu/preprof/
