The University of Washington School of Dentistry is doubling the size of its regional initiatives in dental education program.
The RIDE program trains a cohort of students to practice dentistry in rural areas, which often have shortages of dental care providers, according to the university.
Washington has a total of 182 dental health workforce shortage areas, according to the Health Resources & Services Administration.
The school received $2.5 million in additional funding from the state legislature, expanding the program from 32 students to 64.
The program also receives funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which is used to improve the technology and classroom experience for first-year RIDE students.
The boost in funding will also allow the program to add clinics in Western Washington.