Lakeshore College celebrates opening of new $1.8M Dental Clinic

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

11/17/2025

CLEVELAND, WI —

Lakeshore College unveiled the $1.8 million state-of-the-art Dental Clinic expansion today, Nov. 17. The event celebrated the completion of the enhanced classroom and lab space, which will prepare more oral healthcare professionals for work as dental assistants and dental hygienists.

“This is an exciting day for Lakeshore College and the future of dental health education,” said Dr. Paul Carlsen, president of Lakeshore College. “We are grateful to our donors for making this opportunity possible for Lakeshore students who will have an impact on serving the future needs of our communities.”

In addition to senior officials from Lakeshore College and the Lakeshore College Foundation, those in attendance included executives from Heartland Dental, elected officials from the Manitowoc and Sheboygan area, community dentistry partners, and Lakeshore College employees, including faculty, and students.

This new learning environment fills a significant gap between the demand for and supply of oral healthcare professionals across the lakeshore area and beyond. To help narrow that gap, Lakeshore College expanded its training capacity thanks to funding provided by the state and private donors. Top donors for the project included the West Foundation with a gift of $150,000 and Heartland Dental with a gift of $135,000. This fall, Lakeshore College is training more Dental Assisting students and preparing to launch a new Dental Hygiene program.

Lakeshore College’s previous lab was demolished to make room for the new lab that includes workstations, advanced equipment, and supplies. This investment will allow students to experience a hands-on, real-world learning environment as they focus on skill development and patient care.

Representatives of Lakeshore College, along with guests, celebrated the opening of the college’s new $1.8M Dental Clinic on November 17. The space will prepare Lakeshore College students entering the workforce in dental-related fields. Photo courtesy of Lakeshore College
Representatives of Lakeshore College, along with guests, celebrated the opening of the college’s new $1.8M Dental Clinic on November 17. The space will prepare Lakeshore College students entering the workforce in dental-related fields. Photo courtesy of Lakeshore College
Dr. Paul Carlsen, president of Lakeshore College, center, poses with Lakeshore College faculty and students of the college’s dental program. Photo courtesy of Lakeshore College
Dr. Paul Carlsen, president of Lakeshore College, center, poses with Lakeshore College faculty and students of the college’s dental program. Photo courtesy of Lakeshore College
ABOUT LAKESHORE COLLEGE

Lakeshore College, formerly known as Lakeshore Technical College, is a comprehensive community and technical college educating more than 9,000 students annually. Students enroll at Lakeshore to master real-world, employable career skills and start their pursuit of a bachelor’s degree. Lakeshore faculty and staff are focused on providing each student an individualized learning experience.

Lakeshore College is a nationally recognized two-year college. The college was ranked #2 in the nation by Washington Monthly, #17 in the nation by Forbes, #2 in the state by WalletHub.com, a top-150 two-year college by the Aspen Institute, a 2024 Bellwether Award winner, and named the 2021 Large Business/Industry of the Year by the Chamber of Manitowoc County.

Approximately 800 students graduate from Lakeshore each year, and associate degree graduates report earning a median salary of $61,355 within six months of graduating. In addition to the Cleveland campus, Lakeshore educates students at learning campuses in downtown Manitowoc and downtown Sheboygan. Classes are also offered at additional sites throughout the district. Visit Lakeshore at lakeshore.edu.