WILLMAR, Minn. (AP) A new dental clinic opens today in Willmar one that's aimed at helping solve the growing shortage of dentists in rural areas.

The Rice Regional Dental Clinic is located on the third floor of Rice Memorial Hospital.

The ten-chair clinic is a collaboration between the hospital and the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry.

Dental students and dental hygiene students will give free dental care to low-income patients in a 12-county region of southwest and west-central Minnesota. Fifteen patients are scheduled for today.

One of the clinic's goals is to encourage dental students to start or join a practice in rural Minnesota.

To help kick things off, Delta Dental of Minnesota is donating $450,000 to the U's School of Dentistry to help support faculty and students at the Rice Clinic. The money will be distributed over three years.

On the Net: University of Minnesota School of Dentistry: http://www.dentistry.umn.edu/ Rice Memorial Hospital: http://www.ricehospital.com Information from: J.P. Cola, KWLM/KQIC Willmar, http://www.kwlm.com

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 12-05-07 0727CST | save this article / add to your favorites list