WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – In Kansas, over 70 counties are considered by the federal government to be a dental desert. It's been a serious issue for decades. WSU's president and the dean of health professions say the problem goes beyond dentistry. "We do have dentists that are here that are getting extra training, but in terms of having a dental school where students from colleges come in and train and get licensed as dentists, Kansas does not have that," said Dr. Gregory Hand, College of Health Professions Dean at WSU. That's why WSU asked the Kansas Board of Regents for permission to ask the state for $5 million. "If we get that money, we will be able to get the feasibility study started. We would be able to do a market analysis," said Dr. Hand. The study would include design plans that would open in the second phase of the new Wichita biomedical campus downtown. "We believe with the biomedical campus being put in place that, we can leverage those resources and finally bring a comprehensive dental school to the state of Kansas," said WSU President Rick Muma. Most shortages of dentists in Kansas are in rural areas, so this new opportunity would also include a western Kansas university. "We believe a partnership with Fort Hays State University will help further that." WSU President Rick Muma says oral health is important for more than a great smile. "It's also going to help prevent other kinds of problems that people will suffer, including heart disease, brain disease and so this is together as well," said Muma. If the state approves the feasibility study, the construction will start in the fall of 2027 or 2028 on the Wichita biomedical campus.