2023 Wisconsin Act 87

440.03 (13) (b) 20m. Dental therapist.

87,18 Section 18 . 440.08 (2) (a) 25m. of the statutes is created to read:

440.08 (2) (a) 25m. Dental therapist: October 1 of each odd-numbered year.

87,19 Section 19. 440.094 (1) (c) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

440.094 (1) (c) 3. A dentist or dental therapist licensed under ch. 447.

87,20 Section 20 . 447.01 (6g) of the statutes is created to read:

447.01 (6g) “Dental therapist” means an individual who practices dental therapy.

87,21 Section 21 . 447.01 (6r) of the statutes is created to read:

447.01 (6r) “Dental therapy” means the limited practice of dentistry, consisting of the services, treatments, and procedures specified in s. 447.06 (3) (b).

87,22 Section 22 . 447.02 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

447.02 (1) (a) Governing the reexamination of an applicant who fails an examination specified in s. 447.04 (1) (a) 5., (1m) (e), or (2) (a) 5. The rules may specify additional educational requirements for those applicants and may specify the number of times an applicant may be examined.

87,23 Section 23 . 447.02 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

447.02 (1) (b) Governing the standards and conditions for the use of radiation and ionizing equipment in the practice of dentistry or dental therapy.

87,24 Section 24 . 447.02 (1) (g) of the statutes is created to read:

447.02 (1) (g) Specifying services, treatments, or procedures, in addition to those specified under s. 447.06 (3) (b) 1. to 27., that are included within the practice of dental therapy.

87,25 Section 25 . 447.02 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

447.02 (2) (a) The conditions for supervision and the degree of supervision required under ss. 447.03 (3) (a), (am), (b) and (d) 2. and 447.065.

87,26 Section 26 . 447.02 (3) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

447.02 (3) (a) (intro.) The examining board may issue a permit authorizing the practice in this state, without compensation, of dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene to an applicant who is licensed to practice dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene in another state, if all of the following apply:

87,27 Section 27 . 447.02 (3) (a) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

447.02 (3) (a) 2. The examining board determines that the applicant is qualified and satisfies the criteria specified under s. 447.04 (1) (b) 1. to 3., except that the examining board may not require the applicant to pass an examination of state statutes and rules relating to dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene.

87,28 Section 28. 447.02 (3) (a) 3. of the statutes is created to read:

447.02 (3) (a) 3. If the applicant is applying for a permit to practice dental therapy, the applicant graduated from a dental therapy education program approved under s. 447.04 (1m) (c) 1. to 3.

87,29 Section 29 . 447.02 (3) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

447.02 (3) (b) A permit under this subsection shall authorize the practice of dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene in a specified area of the state for a period of time not more than 10 days in a year and may be renewed by the examining board. The examining board may not require an applicant to pay a fee for the issuance or renewal of a permit under this subsection.

87,30 Section 30 . 447.02 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

447.02 (5) Except as provided in ss. 447.058 and 447.063, nothing in this chapter may be construed as authorizing the examining board to regulate business or administrative support functions or services, that do not constitute the practice of dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene, provided to a business that provides dental or dental hygiene services.

87,31 Section 31. 447.02 (6) of the statutes is created to read:

447.02 (6) The examining board shall send a notice to the legislative reference bureau for publication in the Wisconsin Administrative Register when the board determines that 50 or more individuals are currently licensed as dental therapists in this state under s. 447.04 (1m). This subsection does not apply on or after the first day of the 6th year beginning after the effective date of this subsection .... [LRB inserts date].

87,32 Section 32 . 447.03 (1m) of the statutes is created to read:

447.03 (1m) Dental therapists. Except as provided under sub. (3) and s. 447.02 (3), no person may do any of the following unless he or she is licensed to practice dental therapy under this chapter:

(a) Practice or offer to practice dental therapy.

(b) Represent himself or herself to the public as a dental therapist or use, in connection with his or her name, any title or description that may convey the impression that he or she is a dental therapist.

87,33 Section 33 . 447.03 (3) (am) of the statutes is created to read:

447.03 (3) (am) A dental therapy student who practices dental therapy under the supervision of a dentist in an infirmary, clinic, hospital, or other institution connected or associated for training purposes with a dental therapy school accredited by the American Dental Association commission on dental accreditation or its successor agency.

87,34 Section 34 . 447.03 (3) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

447.03 (3) (c) An individual licensed to practice dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene in another state or country who practices dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene in a program of dental education or research at the invitation of a group of dentists or practices dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene under the jurisdiction of the army, navy, air force, U.S. public health service, or veterans bureau.

87,35 Section 35 . 447.04 (1m) of the statutes is created to read:

447.04 (1m) Dental therapists. The examining board shall grant a license to practice dental therapy to an individual who does all of the following:

(a) Submits an application for the license to the department on a form provided by the department.

(b) Pays the fee specified in s. 440.05 (1).

(c) Submits evidence satisfactory to the examining board that he or she has done one of the following:

1. Graduated from an accredited dental therapy education program.

2. Graduated from a dental therapy education program that was not accredited at the time of graduation, but that satisfies all of the following:

a. The program was approved by the Minnesota Board of Dentistry on or before the effective date of this subd. 2. a. .... [LRB inserts date].

b. The program was accredited as of the date the individual applies for a license under this subsection.

3. Graduated from a dental therapy education program located in this state that, at the time of graduation, was not fully accredited but had received initial accreditation. This subdivision applies to a dental therapy education program only during the 4-year period beginning after the program's inception. After that 4-year period has elapsed, an individual may not qualify for a license under this subsection on the basis of graduation from that program unless the program has subsequently become accredited as described in subd. 1. The examining board shall maintain a register of individuals granted a license on the basis of graduation from a program described in this subdivision.

(d) Submits evidence satisfactory to the examining board that he or she has passed a national board dental therapy examination and a dental therapy clinical examination administered by a regional testing service that has been approved by the examining board to administer clinical examinations for dental professionals. If a national board examination or a regional testing service examination for dental therapy does not exist, the examining board shall accept evidence of passing an alternative examination administered by another entity or testing service that is approved by the examining board.

(e) Passes an examination administered by the examining board on the statutes and rules relating to dental therapy.

(f) Submits evidence satisfactory to the examining board that he or she has current proficiency in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, including the use of an automated external defibrillator achieved through instruction provided by an individual, organization, or institution of higher education approved under s. 46.03 (38) to provide such instruction.

(g) If the individual was licensed or is currently licensed in another state or territory of the United States or in another country, the individual submits information related to his or her licensure in other jurisdictions as required by the examining board.

(h) Completes any other requirements established by the examining board by rule that are comparable to and no more restrictive than the requirements established by the board for dentists under sub. (1) (a) 6. and dental hygienists under sub. (2) (a) 6.

87,36 Section 36. 447.05 (2m) of the statutes is created to read:

447.05 (2m) The examining board may not renew a license to practice dental therapy unless the applicant for renewal attests that he or she has complied with s. 447.057 and any rules promulgated under s. 447.057, that he or she has current proficiency in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and that he or she has current proficiency in the use of an automated external defibrillator achieved through instruction provided by an individual, organization, or institution of higher education approved under s. 46.03 (38) to provide such instruction.

87,37 Section 37 . 447.057 of the statutes is created to read:

447.057 Continuing education; dental therapists. (1) (a) Except as provided in subs. (3) and (4), a person is not eligible for renewal of a license to practice dental therapy, other than a permit issued under s. 447.02 (3), unless the person has taught, prepared, attended, or otherwise completed, during the 2-year period immediately preceding the renewal date specified under s. 440.08 (2) (a), 12 credit hours of continuing education relating to the clinical practice of dental therapy that is sponsored or recognized by a local, state, regional, national, or international dental, dental therapy, dental hygiene, dental assisting, or medical-related professional organization.

(b) Continuing education required under par. (a) may include training in all of the following:

1. Basic life support or cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Not more than 2 of the credit hours required under par. (a) may be satisfied by such training.

2. Infection control. Not less than 2 of the credit hours required under par. (a) must be satisfied by such training.

(c) After consultation with the department of health services, the examining board may promulgate rules requiring that continuing education credit hours under par. (a) include courses in specific clinical subjects.

(2) The credit hours required under sub. (1) (a) may be satisfied by independent study, correspondence, or Internet programs or courses.

(3) Subsection (1) (a) does not apply to an applicant for renewal of a license that expires on the first renewal date after the date on which the examining board initially granted the license.

(4) A person may substitute credit hours of college level courses related to the practice of dental therapy for the credit hours required under sub. (1) (a). For purposes of this subsection, one credit hour of a college level course is equivalent to 6 credit hours of continuing education.

(5) For purposes of sub. (1) (a), one hour of teaching or preparing a continuing education program is equivalent to one credit hour of continuing education, but a person who teaches or prepares a continuing education program may obtain credit for the program only once.

(6) The examining board may require applicants for renewal of a license to practice dental therapy to submit proof of compliance with the requirements of this section.

87,38 Section 38 . 447.06 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

447.06 (1) No contract of employment entered into between a dentist or dental therapist and any other party under which the dentist or dental therapist renders dental services may require the dentist or dental therapist to act in a manner which that violates the professional standards for dentistry or dental therapy set forth in this chapter. Nothing in this subsection limits the ability of the other party to control the operation of the dental practice in a manner in accordance with the professional standards for dentistry or dental therapy set forth in this chapter.

87,39 Section 39 . 447.06 (1m) of the statutes is created to read:

447.06 (1m) No contract of employment entered into between a dental therapist and any other party under which the dental therapist is employed to practice dental therapy may require a dental therapist to meet a minimum quota for the number of patients seen or the number of procedures performed.

87,40 Section 40 . 447.06 (2) (a) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

447.06 (2) (a) 3. For a school for the education of dentists, dental therapists, or dental hygienists.

87,41 Section 41 . 447.06 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

447.06 (2) (b) A dental hygienist may practice dental hygiene or perform remediable procedures under par. (a) 1. only as authorized by a dentist or dental therapist who is licensed to practice dentistry or dental therapy under this chapter and who is present in the facility in which those practices or procedures are performed, except as provided in par. (c).

87,42 Section 42 . 447.06 (2) (c) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

447.06 (2) (c) (intro.) A dental hygienist may practice dental hygiene or perform remediable procedures under par. (a) 1. if a dentist or dental therapist who is licensed to practice dentistry or dental therapy under this chapter is not present in the facility in which those practices or procedures are performed only if all of the following conditions are met:

87,43 Section 43 . 447.06 (2) (c) 2. (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

447.06 (2) (c) 2. (intro.) The dentist or dental therapist who made the written or oral prescription has examined the patient at least once during the 12-month period immediately preceding:

87,44 Section 44 . 447.06 (3) of the statutes is created to read:

447.06 (3) (a) In this subsection:

1. “Collaborative management agreement” means an agreement under par. (d).

2. “Dental health shortage area” has the meaning given in s. 36.60 (1) (ad).

3. “Direct supervision” means that the dentist is present in the dental office or other practice setting, personally diagnoses the condition to be treated, personally authorizes each procedure, and before dismissal of the patient, evaluates the performance of the allied dental personnel.

4. “General supervision” means that the dentist is not present in the dental office or other practice setting or on the premises at the time tasks or procedures are being performed by the dental therapist, but that the tasks or procedures performed by the dental therapist are being performed with the prior knowledge and consent of the dentist.

5. “Indirect supervision” means that the dentist is present in the dental office or other practice setting, authorizes each procedure, and remains in the office while the procedures are being performed by the allied dental personnel.

6. “Medical Assistance patient” means a patient who is a recipient of services under the Medical Assistance program under subch. IV of ch. 49.

7. “Qualifying dentist” means a dentist who is licensed in this state, who is actively practicing in this state, and who satisfies the requirement under par. (dr).

8. “Uninsured patient” means a patient who lacks dental health coverage, either through a public health care program or private insurance, and has an annual gross family income equal to or less than 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.

(b) The scope of practice of a dental therapist shall, subject to the terms of a collaborative management agreement, be limited to providing the following services, treatments, and procedures:

1. Oral evaluation and assessment of dental disease and formulation of an individualized treatment plan.