SUPERIOR, WI — Northwood Technical College celebrated the ribbon cutting of its new Mobile Dental Lab last night at the Superior campus, marking a major step in expanding access to dental education and workforce training across northwestern Wisconsin.
The only known mobile dental unit in the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) replicates the College’s learning lab at the Rice Lake campus and has been in use at Superior since the start of the fall semester as part of Northwood Tech’s Dental Assistant program. The lab was developed to help meet the growing need for skilled dental professionals in rural areas.
“This Mobile Dental Lab replicates our learning lab from the Rice Lake campus,” said Dr. John Will, president of Northwood Tech. “We know dental care in rural communities is a significant challenge throughout the region. The concept behind this is simple — we can’t build a multi-million-dollar lab at each campus, but we can invest in a mobile training lab and bring it to different communities on an intermittent basis. Rather than expanding our existing campus program, we chose to think a little differently, as we often do, and find a way to extend access to people who otherwise wouldn’t have it.”
The mobile dental lab is equipped with three fully functional dental operatories, an integrated radiography unit, a sterilization room, and dedicated workspace for students. The self-contained unit mirrors a traditional dental clinic, providing a professional environment for real-world learning. Students complete lecture coursework alongside peers at the Rice Lake campus in either an online or on-campus format.
The interior of Northwood Technical College’s Mobile Dental Lab features three fully equipped dental operatories, workspace for instruction, and modern cabinetry designed for hands-on training across the region.
“The mobile lab provides a true-to-life clinical learning environment where students can apply what they’ve learned in real time,” said Megen Elliott, Dental Assistant program director and instructor at Northwood Tech. “It enhances the teaching and learning experience by allowing instructors to demonstrate procedures and guide students through hands-on training. This approach helps students build confidence and skill before stepping into actual patient care settings.”
The demand for dental assistants continues to rise across Northwood Tech’s 11-county district. Workforce Development Area Seven is projected to see a 3.42% increase in dental assistant positions over the next six years, while Workforce Development Area Eight anticipates a 3.46% increase, according to Wisconomy. Local dental providers in the Superior area have expressed a strong need for the college to expand the Dental Assistant technical diploma program to meet the urgent demand for trained professionals.
In addition to supporting the Dental Assistant program, the Mobile Dental Lab will also be used for Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary (EFDA) certification programming in the future, expanding access to advanced training opportunities.
The 11-credit EFDA certificate program, which has already begun at the Rice Lake campus, provides practicing dental assistants with specialized training in procedures such as impressions, sealant application, and coronal polishing under dentist supervision.
A dental simulation mannequin sits under a bright exam light inside Northwood Technical College’s Mobile Dental Lab. The state-of-the-art unit allows students to practice dental procedures in a realistic setting.
“This is about more than education — it’s about community impact,” said Mari Jo Ulrich, dean of health sciences at Northwood Tech. “By making this level of hands-on training accessible throughout our region, we’re helping to build stronger healthcare systems and open doors to meaningful, sustainable careers.”
The $349,919 project was made possible through grant funding from the WTCS and Delta Dental, supporting curriculum development, staffing, equipment, marketing, and student travel assistance.
From left: Angie Mack, office manager, Chippewa Valley Bank; Robert Peacock, community campaign coordinator, Head of the Lakes United Way; Taylor Pedersen, president and CEO, Superior-Douglas County Area Chamber of Commerce; Steven Woods, community engagement director, Superior Douglas County Family YMCA; Jodi Olson, dental assistant program instructor, Northwood Technical College; Megen Elliott, dental assistant program director and instructor, Northwood Technical College; Alex Kozitza, co-owner, Building the Dream Duluth; Mari Jo Ulrich, dean of health sciences, Northwood Technical College; Dr. John Will, president, Northwood Technical College; Dr. William Zimmer-Wakeley, chiropractor, Imperium Chiropractic; Rhonda Adams, mortgage loan originator, North Shore Mortgage; Jon Fritsche, co-owner, Globe News, and board member, Northwood Technical College Foundation; and Heidi Chell, commercial banker, National Bank of Commerce.
Northwood Tech’s investment in mobile training solutions underscores its commitment to providing flexible, high-quality education that meets the evolving needs of local industries and supports the college’s mission to transform lives and strengthen communities through education.
For more information about the Dental Assistant program at Northwood Tech, visit NorthwoodTech.edu.
About Northwood Technical College
Northwood Technical College is a nationally top-ranked college and designated Silver 2025-26 Military Friendly® School that puts Students First.
Northwood Tech serves the educational and career needs of approximately 14,000 residents of Northwestern Wisconsin each year. With multiple campuses, Northwood Tech offers career-focused associate degree programs, technical diplomas, short-term certificates, customized business training, and a wide array of courses for personal or career enrichment. Northwood Tech is a member of the Wisconsin Technical College System and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. For more information, call 800.243.9482 or visit NorthwoodTech.edu.
Northwood Technical College is grateful for all its community partnerships. Your support of the Northwood Tech Foundation is essential to student success.
For information on how to contribute, visit NorthwoodTech.edu/donate. Northwood Technical College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, service in the uniformed services, veteran status, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital or family status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions or status in any group protected by state or local law in employment, admissions or its programs or activities.
The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the College’s nondiscrimination policies: Amanda Gohde, AA/EEO Officer/Title IX Coordinator/Associate Vice President of Talent and Culture; 1900 College Drive, Rice Lake, WI 54868; 715.645.7042; Wisconsin Relay System TTY:711; Amanda.Gohde@NorthwoodTech.edu.
Last Update: Oct 23, 2025 9:16 am CDT
