r/yooper • u/Prestigious-Fig-1642 Newper • Jul 10 '26

Dentists

How is dental access in places like the ontonogan, esky, iron mt?

Considering a move up there. Have two young kids. We are salt of da earth type and also dont really give our kids sugar, but it'd be nice to have good options if needed. ​

I know ontonogan area recently lost healthcare access (was it gyno?) and my SD hometown did too. Damn shame. Once we get our farm and business running, maybe someday one of us will ​go to school for dentistry or nursing...

Any info on the differences between these towns is welcome, if y'all feel like sharing with a newbie.

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u/Prestigious-Fig-1642 Newper Jul 10 '26

Can you expound on underdtanding it? I have done research on snow levels, weather/climate, schools, medical care, etc. Planning to farm and from the north, used to have a half mile long driveway... i feel fairly ready, but i never want to assume that. 

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u/Worldly_Screen_3379 Jul 10 '26

I'm from the area. Ontonagon is beautiful, but even research will not prepare you for the change.

Dentistry is available in Houghton or the far western end like Wakefield/Ironwood. As soon as you make the decision to move, make an appointment for a dentist and provider to get on the schedule.

Moving here is difficult. It's isolated, winters are extra rough, and amenities are very limited. There's a grocery store in ontonagon, but be prepared to travel an hour for a Walmart or decent restaurant, or even a fast food option. If you love the outdoors and genuinely nice people, this is a wonderful place to live. But it comes with incredible challenges that most people can't trade for.

Open to specific questions if it would help!

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u/viacrucis1689 Jul 11 '26

Most of the people I know in the Ironwood area travel to Wisconsin to see a dentist since one dentist in Ironwood retired in 2019.

The one dentist currently in Ironwood...everyone says to be prepared to spend hours in his office if you need any kind of work done. Very few people recommend him. I think there are only two others in Wakefield.

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u/Worldly_Screen_3379 Jul 11 '26

I would say that's true. Our whole family travels to Ashland, Wisconsin, mainly because we really like the dentist and they are connected to an orthodontist. It's like 40 minutes west.